Ekta Nagar, the planned tourism hub built around the Statue of Unity in Narmada district, Gujarat, has emerged as a globally recognised model for green and sustainable tourism — marked on World Environment Day by a stocktake of five years of eco-focused development. The transformation traces back to 5 June 2021, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the area to be developed into a pollution-free, electric-vehicle-only zone.

Five Years of Green Growth

The Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Regulatory Authority has worked in what officials describe as 'mission mode' to realise that vision. Over the past five years, approximately 459 electric vehicles have been introduced for tourist mobility within the zone. A solar power plant with a capacity of over 5.5 MW has been installed to meet the area's energy needs sustainably.

The greening drive has delivered significant results on paper: around 60 lakh trees have been planted across the region, comprising 2.25 lakh Keshuda trees, 2 lakh Krishna Kamal plants, 30 trees across various eco-tourism projects, and 15 lakh trees planted along roadsides as part of beautification efforts.

What the Authority Has Built

Beyond tree-planting, the Authority has developed a Miyawaki forest, a Valley of Flowers, and a Bonsai garden — all designed to deepen the eco-tourism experience and draw visitors seeking a connection with nature. Roadside beautification has been given special emphasis under the Ekta Nagar Greening Project.

Amit Arora, Chief Executive Officer of the Statue of Unity, said the administration had undertaken numerous initiatives since the Prime Minister's 2021 call to action. 'Our endeavor has been to provide tourists from India and abroad with an experience of green and sustainable tourism, allowing them to connect with nature and enjoy a clean, eco-friendly tourist destination,' Arora said.

EV Zone and Sustainable Infrastructure

The area surrounding the Statue of Unity has been formally developed as an EV-only zone, with electric vehicles introduced by the Narmada Statue of Unity Authority for all internal transit. The 5.5 MW solar installation reduces grid dependence, while the Miyawaki forest — a dense, fast-growing urban forest technique — adds a biodiversity layer that goes beyond ornamental planting.

This comes amid a broader national push to align major tourism corridors with India's net-zero commitments and the government's stated target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Global Recognition and What Comes Next

Ekta Nagar has reportedly gained international recognition as a model for 'Green Tourism and Sustainable Development,' according to officials at the Statue of Unity Authority. The Statue of Unity itself remains one of India's highest-footfall tourist sites since its inauguration in 2018.

As the zone matures, attention will turn to whether the EV-only model can be scaled to other high-traffic heritage and nature tourism sites across India — and whether visitor numbers, currently unspecified in official releases, justify the infrastructure investment.