changeadminIndia’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr Bhupender Yadav, along with Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Mr Manohar Lal, presided over the ceremonial launch of the ‘Matri Van’ initiative, a green legacy symbolizing ecological preservation and community participation – under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Programme of Government of India.
The ‘Matri Van’ initiative, a theme-based urban forest dedicated to nurturing generations through mother-nature-inspired green efforts, would be developed in an area of 750 acres in the Aravalli Hill area, along the Gurugram-Faridabad Road.
It is envisioned as a unique ecological and cultural space that will contribute to biodiversity, public well-being, and urban sustainability. This vision would be achieved through a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving CSR partners, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), NGOs, multinational corporations (MNCs), school children and government organisations.
Addressing the event, Manohar Lal talked about how carbon emissions have become the foremost global challenge for mankind. The Minister encouraged citizens to imbibe the tradition of preventing deforestation and planting more trees to become Van Mitras.
Mr Lal laid stress on how India’s increasing share of non-fossil fuel-based power generation is going a long way in reducing carbon emissions. He informed that the share of renewable energy sources has already crossed 50% in the energy mix of the country.
Further, the Minister added that metro cities like Gurugram must become an example for others in pioneering initiatives such as green buildings, eco-tourism through wildlife safaris, theme-based biodiversity parks, etc.
In his address, Mr Bhupender Yadav noted that the ‘Matri van’ green cover will act as a heart and lung for the whole of Delhi NCR. He thanked the Haryana Government for playing a huge role in providing this forest land, which is currently covered with thorny bushes, and developing it as a ‘Matri Van’, by planting tree species endemic to the Aravallis.
This project would provide the public, including young and senior citizens, a serene environment to lead a healthy and stress-free life. Gurugram would become a clean and green city that would be the foremost example of an ‘Ideal Millennium City’ for others, Mr Yadav added.
The Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision of greening the Aravallis to rejuvenate the hill range by planting local tree species. He also noted the important role of Mother Nature in nurturing the human race, and how the ‘Ek Ped Ma ke Naam’ initiative is a pioneering effort under the PM’s vision to express gratitude towards Mother Nature.
On the same lines, the Minister brought out different components such as Save Food, Save Water, Save Energy, Solid Waste Management, e-waste Management, Single Use Plastic Ban, and Mission LiFE, which promotes following a healthy lifestyle, a vision the Prime Minister presented to the World.
‘Matri Van’ Initiative in Gurugram
The main components of the ‘Matri Van’ would include the removal of existing bushes such as Kabuli Kikar (Prosopis juliflora) and the plantation of Dhak, Amaltash Trees along Gurugram-Faridabad Road, while creating theme-based Plantation Groves to restore local ecology in the Aravallis.
It would include plantation of long rotation trees like Bargad, Peepal, Gullar, Bael Patra, Imli, Pilkhan, Neem, Dhak, Semal, Khirni, Desi Kadam, Amaltash, Bamboo, Aravalli species like Dhauk, Salar, Kullu, Khairi and shrubs like Goya Khair, Gangeran, Marod falli, etc.
The theme-based Plantation Groves would be carved out in the Maitri Van, as follows:
- Bodhi Vatika: Grove of Bargad, Peepak, Gullar, Pilkhan
- Bamboosetum: A Group of Bamboo Species
- Aravalli Species Arboretum
- Pushp Vatika: Group of Species of Flowering Trees
- Sugandh Vatika: Group of Species of fragrance
- Medicinal Plants Vatika
- Nakshtra Vatika
- Rashi Vatika
- Cactus Garden
- Butterfly garden
The Matri Van would further include nature trails, cycle tracks, yoga places, sitting places, gazebos, public facilities, parking at four corners, a treated water irrigation system, water bodies at selected locations for water conservation, and to check urban flooding.
The event was organised by the Forest Department of Haryana as part of the Van Mahotsav 2025, in Gurugram today. The occasion also saw the participation of other dignitaries, including Mr Rao Narbir Singh, Minister for Forest (Haryana), along with senior public representatives and officials from the State Government, who were also present during the programme.
Earlier in the day, the dignitaries also reviewed the Aravalli Jungle Safari Park and participated in sapling plantation at IMT Manesar on 5 locations identified by Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC).
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