CM Bhupendra Patel Launches ‘Sindoor Van’ And Plants ‘Sindoor Tree’ In Ahmedabad To Mark World Environment Day
Ahmedabad: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the ‘Sindoor Van’ and planted a ‘Sindoor Tree’ (Bixa Orellana) in Ahmedabad’s Jagatpur area, marking the beginning of a large-scale green initiative under the city’s ambitious Mission 4 Million Trees – 2025 campaign.
The project, spearheaded by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), aims to commemorate the spirit of “Operation Sindoor”, a successful military operation, by keeping its legacy alive through environmental action. The Chief Minister led the ceremonial tree plantation near the Jagatpur Bridge in Chandlodia, where a dedicated oxygen park is being developed over 5,000 square meters of land.
What is ‘Sindoor Van’?
As part of the oxygen park, 551 Sindoor trees will be planted, giving rise to what will be known as ‘Sindoor Van’. In total, over 12,000 trees will be planted in the park, with the goal of increasing green cover and improving air quality in the urban landscape. The Sindoor tree (Bixa Orellana), known for its natural dye and cultural significance, has been chosen as a symbolic centerpiece of this eco-project.
During the event, CM Patel officially launched the Mission 4 Million Trees initiative for the upcoming monsoon season, under which the municipal corporation will aim to plant 40 lakh (4 million) trees across the city. Following the plantation ceremony, the Chief Minister awarded bicycles to five winners of an environment-themed painting competition organized by AMC’s Air Quality Management Cell. He also flagged off 11 ‘Vruksh Rath’ (Tree Chariots) and tableau vehicles, which will travel across Ahmedabad to raise awareness and encourage citizens to participate in tree planting and preservation.
AMC officials, including Mayor Pratibha Jain and Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani, stated that the oxygen park near Jagatpur Bridge will be developed and maintained for five years by the Samast Vaishnav Vanik Parivar (SVVP) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Of the 12,000 trees planned, the remaining species beyond the 551 Sindoor trees will include a variety of indigenous plants. These will be planted using the Miyawaki method, a dense and fast-growing afforestation technique ideal for urban areas.