Trees play a number of roles for the betterment of life of people. Percentage of geographical area under forests in Gujarat is far less than the envisaged 33% area as per the National forest policy 1988 and is also much less as compared to the National Average 22%.

Van Mahotsava was conceptualized by the great visionary of Gujarat, late Mr. K.M Munshi so that people should orient themselves to planting trees. He initiated this drive when he was the Union Minister of Agriculture in 1949. By this programme people have been motivated and roped into tree planting activity.

At present awareness programmes are held and shibirs are organized to increase the awareness of people for planting trees. Initially seedlings were given to people free of cost. Nurseries have been established in far flung locations to help people get quality seedlings within short distance. To prevent improper use and wastage of resources a small price is being charged though the seedlings still are heaving subsidized. People are encouraged to plant trees in all lands such as unused land in the vicinity of their homes, village common lands, schools, colleges, hospital compounds etc. Van Mahotsava is organized at State¸ District and Taluka levels with good number of people participating in the programme so as to plant large number of trees by people. Folders pamphlets and other literature on Forestry extension is also distributed to educate and motivate people. People are motivated to have their own nurseries by taking advantage of Decentralized kisan/ school/Mahila nurseries. This is helpful in the extension of nursery technology in rural areas alongwith augmenting the income of lower economic strata of people.