Matri Van Initiative:
The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs launched the ‘Matri Van’ initiative.It is an initiative under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Programme of Government of India.It is 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. 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. 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 further include nature trails, cycle track, yoga places, sitting places/gazebos, public facilities, parking at four corners, treated water irrigation system/misting/sprinkling, waterbodies at selected locations for conservation of water and to check urban flooding.
