Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, alongside Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, formally inaugurated the “Matri Van” theme‑based urban forest on August 2, 2025, during Van Mahotsav 2025, at a ceremony organised by the Haryana Forest Department near Sector 54 on the Gurugram–Faridabad Road in Haryana Envisioned as a 750‑acre green expanse nestled in the Aravalli Hills, the project is an integral component of the national “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” afforestation campaign,
promoting ecological restoration by dedicating forests in honour of mothers and reflecting gratitude to Mother Nature Yadav characterised Matri Van as the “heart and lungs” of Delhi‑NCR, emphasising that this expansive forest would significantly boost biodiversity, alleviate pollution, stabilise groundwater, mitigate urban heat, and furnish citizens with a serene recreational and wellness space. Work will begin with removal of invasive shrubs such as Kabuli Kikar (Prosopis juliflora) and swiftly transition to planting a rich variety of native Aravalli flora, including Bargad, Peepal, Neem, Dhak, Amaltash, Bael Patra, Gullar, Imli, Pilkhan, Semal, Khirni, Desi Kadam, and local species like Dhauk, Salar, Kullu, Khairi, along with shrubs such as Goya Khair and Marod Phali . To structure the forest into educational and thematic zones, planners have earmarked specialised groves: Bodhi Vatika (sacred trees),
Bamboosetum, an Aravalli Arboretum, Pushp (Flower) Vatika, Sugandh (Fragrance) Vatika, Medicinal Plants Vatika, Nakshatra Vatika, Rashi Vatika, a Cactus Garden, and a Butterfly Garden, making Matri Van a multifaceted ecological and cultural space. Shared‑use infrastructure will include nature walking trails, cycling tracks, yoga and meditation zones, gazebos, signage and seating, as well as parking at key entry points, and sustainable water systems such as rainwater harvesting ponds, treated‑water irrigation with misting and sprinkling setups, and specially designed water bodies to enhance recharge and control urban flooding.
The initiative is a multi‑stakeholder endeavour—engaging CSR partners, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), NGOs, MNCs, government bodies, schoolchildren and citizens in planting and stewardship efforts, with Haryana’s Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh calling on all RWAs and institutions to actively take part in a planting campaign held on July 27, which alone saw around 20,000 saplings planted from Shiv Nadar School to Ghata Chowk . The project sits under the broader Aravalli Green Wall plan to combat desertification across the 700‑km Aravalli range by establishing a five‑kilometre‑wide belt across multiple states, aimed at restoring degraded land, enhancing carbon sinks, improving groundwater, and mitigating biodiversity loss. The funding structure combines government and private resources, including development funds and CSR contributions
(approximately ₹7.5 crore), along with ₹2.5 crore from state agencies and potential additional allocations from central schemes, with maintenance obligations for the executing agency for at least three years. Ultimately, Bhupender Yadav framed the Matri Van not just as an afforestation drive but as a living legacy—a nurturing tribute to Mother Nature aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s Mission LiFE, stressing conservation of food, water and energy, responsible waste management, a ban on single‑use plastics and fostering eco‑friendly lifestyle. With Matri Van projected to become a benchmark for urban ecological innovation, Gurugram is poised to emerge as a model clean and green “Millennium City”, setting an inspiring example for other fast‑growing urban centres across India.
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