Gurgaon: The city will get its first Namo Van, with a dumping site — which was reclaimed last month — set for a green makeover.City’s Namo Van project, spread over the 23.8-acre compensatory afforestation (CA) site in Naharpur Kasan, is located in IMT Manesar region. The project involves planting native and climate-resilient species suitable for the region.Divisional forest officer Surender Dangi told TOI, “Around 5,000 saplings will be planted, and the entire site will be fenced to ensure protection and long-term survival of the plantation.” The area, which has already undergone a clean-up drive to remove accumulated waste and debris, will be fenced to protect the plantation from encroachments, grazing and dumping.The Namo Van is part of the Centre’s initiative to create dedicated green spaces across districts and strengthen urban ecological infrastructure through large-scale plantation drives. The project is expected to add to a series of afforestation and ecological restoration initiatives being undertaken across Gurgaon and the Aravali region. Forest officials have increasingly focused on reclaiming degraded and vacant parcels of land for plantation activities amid concerns over shrinking green spaces, rising urban temperatures and the loss of natural habitats. Experts say restoring such sites can help improve local biodiversity, reduce dust pollution and strengthen the city’s ecological resilience in the face of rapid urbanisation.“The site was identified as compensatory afforestation land but remained neglected for years, during which portions of it became informal dumping points. The ongoing clean-up has cleared the area for plantation activities, which are expected to begin with the onset of favourable monsoon conditions,” Dangi added.Officials said the project is aimed at converting a degraded patch of land into an urban forest that can support local biodiversity while adding much-needed green cover to a rapidly urbanising part of the city. The initiative assumes significance as Gurgaon continues to lose open natural spaces to urban expansion. Environmental experts have repeatedly flagged the shrinking green cover, rising temperatures and loss of habitats for birds and other wildlife in the district.Once established, the plantation is expected to improve the local microclimate, enhance groundwater recharge, reduce dust and provide habitat for birds, butterflies and pollinators. Officials said fencing of the entire site will be undertaken alongside plantation work to ensure the survival of saplings and prevent fresh dumping. Regular maintenance and monitoring will also be carried out during the initial years, which are considered critical for the success of afforestation projects.Gurgaon, according to the Forest Survey of India report 2022, lost 2.5 sq km of forest cover between Oct 2019 and Feb 2020. The city’s overall tree and forest cover is 12.9% of its geographical area, according to findings of Haryana’s first tree census in 2023. At 6.7%, the state’s forest and tree cover is the lowest in India.
