https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Green Vision for NCR: Bhupender Yadav and Manohar Lal Inaugurate Theme-Based Urban Forest ‘Matri Van’ in Aravallis

Union Ministers Bhupender Yadav & Manohar Lal launched the 750-acre ‘Matri Van’ urban forest in Gurugram, advancing India’s ecological goals under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Gurugram: A major green initiative was launched in Haryana’s Aravalli region on August 2 as Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Manohar Lal, presided over the ceremonial launch of the ‘Matri Van’ project. This large-scale urban afforestation effort falls under the Government of India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ programme and aims to restore and rejuvenate 750 acres of Aravalli hill terrain in Gurugram.

The event, organized by the Haryana Forest Department as part of Van Mahotsav 2025, witnessed participation from Haryana’s Minister for Industries and Forest, Rao Narbir Singh, along with senior public officials, civil society members, and schoolchildren.

Matri Van: Green Legacy in the Heart of the NCR

The ‘Matri Van’ project is envisioned as a thematic urban forest promoting ecological harmony, public wellness, and urban sustainability. Situated along the Gurugram-Faridabad Road, this 750-acre green zone will serve as a cultural and environmental landmark.

Its development is based on a multi-stakeholder model involving CSR partners, NGOs, RWAs, government agencies, school communities, and corporate entities. The initiative aligns with India’s broader push for nature-led solutions in tackling urban challenges.

Manohar Lal Urges Citizens to Become ‘Van Mitras’

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Manohar Lal emphasized the threat posed by rising carbon emissions. He stressed that while carbon capture technology is key, India must also rely on traditional ecological practices like tree plantation and forest preservation.

Encouraging citizens to take on the role of ‘Van Mitras’ or friends of the forest, he called for greater public participation in safeguarding green cover. The Minister also highlighted India’s clean energy achievements, noting that over 50% of the national energy mix now comes from non-fossil fuel sources.

He urged cities like Gurugram to become exemplars of sustainable urbanization through initiatives such as green buildings, biodiversity parks, and eco-tourism models like jungle safaris.

Bhupender Yadav: ‘Matri Van Will Be the Lungs of NCR’

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav underlined the significance of ‘Matri Van’ as the ecological heart of Delhi-NCR. He appreciated the Haryana government’s commitment in offering the land and support for the project, which currently consists of thorny undergrowth and will be transformed through afforestation.

He noted that the forest would include indigenous Aravalli species and become a healing green space for people of all ages. The project, he said, would help make Gurugram a clean, green, and model ‘Millennium City’.

Yadav also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the vision behind rejuvenating the Aravallis. He linked the initiative to the PM’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, which he described as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to Mother Nature.

Mission LiFE & Green Urban Infrastructure

Minister Yadav reiterated the principles of Mission LiFE, highlighting key behavioral changes like saving food, water, and energy, banning single-use plastic, and adopting healthy lifestyles. These lifestyle changes, he said, represent India’s environmental ethos on the global stage.

He emphasized that ‘Matri Van’ aligns with these goals and strengthens India’s green urban infrastructure through local species-based plantations and ecosystem restoration.

Theme-Based Groves to Celebrate Indian Ecology

The ‘Matri Van’ project will feature a wide variety of native trees, including Bargad, Peepal, Gullar, Neem, Semal, Bamboo, and several Aravalli-specific species such as Dhauk, Kullu, Khairi, and Marod falli.

Ten distinct groves will be established, each reflecting India’s rich ecological and cultural heritage:

  • Bodhi Vatika: Bargad, Peepal, Gullar, Pilkhan
  • Bamboosetum: Bamboo species collection
  • Aravalli Species Arboretum
  • Pushp Vatika: Flowering tree varieties
  • Sugandh Vatika: Aromatic plant species
  • Medicinal Plants Vatika
  • Nakshatra Vatika
  • Rashi Vatika
  • Cactus Garden
  • Butterfly Garden

Other features include yoga zones, walking trails, cycle tracks, gazebos, water conservation structures, parking areas, and a treated water-based irrigation system.

Aravalli Safari and Plantation Drive at IMT Manesar

Earlier in the day, the dignitaries reviewed progress on the Aravalli Jungle Safari Park. They also participated in a plantation drive at five locations within IMT Manesar, identified by HSIIDC, further reinforcing the state’s forestation commitment.

Also Read: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Leads Grand Global Tiger Day 2025 Celebrations in New Delhi, Announces Massive Tree Plantation Drive


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Odisha Government
Odisha Elevates Two Promising IFS Officers to Senior Time Scale, Strengthening Forest Leadership - Know More About Them
Yogi Adityanath UP
Uttar Pradesh Floods: CM Yogi Adityanath Forms ‘Team-11’ for Swift and Transparent Flood Relief Across 12 Districts
DGR Job Fair
DGR Job Fair 2025 Held in Delhi to Empower Ex-Servicemen with Career Opportunities in Emerging Tech - Details Inside
omc
Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) Begins Dispatch from Dubna Mines, Strengthening Supply Chain and Industrial Growth
NFDC
NFDC Launches Free Residential 3D Animation & VFX Training for North East Youth - Here's All You Need To Know
CM Yogi
CM Yogi Adityanath Reviews Rs. 42,891 Crore Development Proposals for Lucknow Division, Emphasizes Timely, Inclusive Execution
Mahanadi River
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai Assures Odisha of Consideration on an Amicable Solution to Mahanadi Water Dispute
MP News
Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav Pays Tribute to Pt. Ravishankar Shukla on His Birth Anniversary
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Odisha Government
Odisha Elevates Two Promising IFS Officers to Senior Time Scale, Strengthening Forest Leadership - Know More About Them
Yogi Adityanath UP
Uttar Pradesh Floods: CM Yogi Adityanath Forms ‘Team-11’ for Swift and Transparent Flood Relief Across 12 Districts
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT