Bhupender Yadav Launches ‘Matri Van’ Urban Forest Project in Gurugram

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, launched the ‘Matri Van’ initiative in Gurugram as part of the Government of India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ programme. Organized by the Haryana Forest Department during Van Mahotsav 2025, the initiative aims to promote ecological preservation and community involvement.

‘Matri Van’ will be developed as a theme-based urban forest over 750 acres in the Aravalli Hill region along the Gurugram-Faridabad Road. Inspired by the concept of nurturing future generations through nature, the project seeks to enhance biodiversity, urban sustainability, and public well-being. The forest will be developed through collaborative efforts involving CSR partners, RWAs, NGOs, MNCs, school children, and various government agencies.

Shri Manohar Lal talked about how Carbon emissions have become the foremost global challenge for mankind. Besides using carbon capture technology to fight this challenge, the Minister encouraged citizens to imbibe the tradition of preventing deforestation and planting more trees to become Van Mitras. He 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 like green buildings, eco-tourism through wildlife safaris, theme-based biodiversity parks etc.

In his address, Shri 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 Aravallis. This project would provide the public, including young and senior citizens alike, 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, Shri Yadav added.