Centre launches ‘Matri Van’ initiative in Gurugram Aravallis

Gurugram: The Centre government on Saturday the launch of ‘Matri Van’ initiative in Gurugram , a theme-based Urban Forest spread over 750 acres in the Aravalli Hill area.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, along with Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, presided over the ceremonial launch, under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Programme.

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 organizations, said the Ministry in a statement.

Addressing the event, Bhupender Yadav noted that the ‘Matri van’ green cover will act as a heart and lung for the whole of Delhi NCR.

“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” Yadav added.

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” the minister said.

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…adding that the share of renewable energy sources has already crossed 50% in the energy mix of the country.

The main components of the ‘Matri Van’ would include removal of existing bushes like Kabuli Kikar (Prosopis juliflora) and 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.