CM, Bhupendra Patel Governor dine at farmer’s home, underline importance of water conservation & tree plantation

2 min readSuratJun 19, 2026 01:47 AM IST

SETTING ASIDE protocol, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Governor Acharya Devvrat had dinner on Thursday evening sitting on the floor of a thatched house, belonging to Jitendrabhai Chunilal Desai, a farmer residing in Panikhadak village of Navsari district.

CM Patel and Governor Devvrat, who are on a two-day visit to the south Gujarat district, were accompanied by senior district officials.

Inside the small residence, nestled amid lush green fields and winding roads, the duo enjoyed desi nagli-chokha roti, khichdi, curry and mixed vegetables served by members of the Desai family.

District Collector Manish Gurwani, District Development Officer Kartik Jiwani, district police chief Rahul Patel and others were also present.

CM Patel urged people to use resources wisely, considering the current situation. He said PM Modi has linked the environment protection campaign with sensitivity and called upon every citizen of the state to plant and grow a tree in the name of his mother.

A total of 1,600 trees of 28 species including Neem, Peepal, Banyan, Bili, Cashew, Kadam, Sevan, Baheda, were planted in a total area of 0.75 hectares with the help of local villagers.

The state Forest Department has set a target of planting 5.50 crore trees across the state under the ‘Ek Pad Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.

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While lauding the campaign, Devvrat called upon the villagers to plant more trees and nurture them.

He emphasized that each small step taken by every citizen to save water and preserve the environment would prove a boon for future generations.

Kamal Saiyed is a senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, providing extensive, on-the-ground coverage from Surat and the broader South Gujarat region and the Union territories of Daman, Diu & Dadra Nagar Haveli. With a reporting career at the publication spanning back to 2007, he has established himself as a high-authority voice on the industrial, social, and political pulse of one of India’s fastest-growing urban hubs.

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Industrial & Economic Beat: Based in the “Diamond City,” Saiyed offers expert reporting on the diamond and textile industries. His work tracks global market shifts (such as De Beers production changes), local trade policies, and the socio-economic challenges facing the millions of workers in Surat’s manufacturing hubs.
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