Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis sends a message of 'progress with sustainability' in once Naxal-dominated Gadchiroli

Mumbai: Addressing the crucial issue of ‘jal, jangal, zameen’ rights of the adivasi community, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sent out a clear message in Gadchiroli on Tuesday that fast-paced development projects will be undertaken without damaging the environment.

During his day-long visit to the once Naxalite-affected Gadchiroli district, Fadnavis inaugurated and commissioned a slew of projects besides launching a plantation initiative.

He planted a sapling in Gadchiroli, marking the launch of 'Harit Maharashtra, Samruddha Maharashtra', a campaign to plant 1 crore trees in the district.

“This is more than a plantation drive; it’s a commitment to preserving nature while driving development rooted in sustainability. Gadchiroli, with its rich forest cover, plays a key role in maintaining Maharashtra’s ecological balance. Between 2014 and 2019, 50 crore trees were planted across the State,” the CM said.

As per the 2019 Green Cover Report by the Central Government, Maharashtra was the only State to record an actual increase in forest cover, a result of collective effort and strong public participation.

Building on that success, 11 crore trees will be planted this year and 25 crore next year.

“In Gadchiroli, 40 lakh saplings are being planted this year and 60 lakh more next year. Saplings have been sourced from Rajahmundry and local nurseries are being nurtured to grow saplings of the same strength and standard, rooted in the region and ready for the future. Each tree will be geo-tagged and tracked, and officers have come forward to adopt saplings, turning this into a people-led movement to make Gadchiroli the greenest district,” added Fadnavis.

The CM inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various development projects of Lloyds Metals and Energy ltd at Gadchiroli.

“The dream of making Gadchiroli a steel hub is no longer just a vision, it’s now taking shape on the ground. Through green steel production, Gadchiroli is set to create steel that’s not only of higher quality than China’s, but also more affordable. Back in 2015–16, when mining first began here, the challenges were immense, Maoist threats and broken infrastructure,” the senior BJP leader said.

“Yet, we stood firm. And today, the result is in front of us. Over 14,000 local youth are working with Lloyds, many of them women who started in housekeeping and now drive Volvo trucks, earning Rs 55,000 a month. This is the true face of empowerment,” he said.

"With the integrated steel plant, 20,000 new job opportunities are on the way. And to prepare our youth for them, college has already been started under Gondwana University. A joint program with Curtin University in Australia is also active. Our focus is clear; progress, but with sustainability. An 80-km slurry pipeline, the first in Maharashtra and fourth in the country, has been set up to control pollution. Public transport is already gas-based and is transitioning to full electrification. The mission to plant 1 crore trees over the next 2 years has also taken off, with 40 lakh saplings being planted this year,” he said.