Jamnagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Saturday evening to commence a three-day visit packed with multiple engagements, including chairing key meetings, visiting conservation centres, and offering prayers at the Somnath temple.

Visit to Vantara and wildlife conservation efforts

Modi’s itinerary includes a visit to Vantara, a sprawling 3,000-acre animal rescue, conservation, and rehabilitation centre set up by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation within the Jamnagar refinery complex. He will tour the facility on Sunday before departing for Sasan, the headquarters of Gir National Park, later in the evening.

At Sasan, Modi will chair a meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) as its ex-officio chairman. The board, consisting of 47 members, includes the Chief of Army Staff, state representatives, NGO officials, and senior forest officials from across the country. "National-level issues related to wildlife are discussed and finalised in such meetings. This meeting is special as it will be chaired by the PM," said Gujarat’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of the Forest Force, A.P. Singh.

Before the meeting, Modi is scheduled to go on a jungle safari in Gir National Park, the last remaining habitat of Asiatic lions. Following the NBWL discussions, he will also interact with women forest staffers at Sasan.

Prayers at Somnath Temple and meeting with trust

During his visit, Modi will also chair a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust, which manages the iconic Somnath Temple. "After returning to 'Sinh Sadan', he will chair the meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust in his capacity as its chairperson," Singh added. Modi will offer prayers at the temple before presiding over the trust’s discussions.

Grand welcome in Jamnagar

A large number of people gathered along the roads to welcome Modi as his motorcade passed from the airport to the circuit house, where he is staying overnight. "The PM will arrive in Jamnagar in the evening of March 1 and stay overnight at the circuit house there. The next day, he is scheduled to visit Vantara animal rescue centre in Jamnagar. He will leave Jamnagar and reach Sasan in the evening," Singh told PTI.

Departure from Gujarat

On the final day of his visit, after completing his engagements at Gir and Somnath, Modi will travel to Rajkot airport and return to Delhi.

(With inputs from PTI)