Namo Van: 10 lakh trees in 37 days green Morbi's barren Machhu Dam land
Synopsis
A Trust-owned stretch of barren land near Machhu Dam in Morbi has been converted into a dense forest in under six weeks — 10 lakh saplings, 500 workers, and a cancer-surviving minister who says nature gave him a second life. The Namo Van project is now seeking more government land to scale up.
Key Takeaways
Namo Van project planted 10 lakh saplings in 37 days on 1,200 bighas of barren land near Machhu Dam , Morbi, Gujarat.
The forest was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on 17 September 2024 , marking PM Modi's 75th birthday .
Around 500 workers planted 25,000–30,000 saplings daily , supported by Sadbhavana Vruddhashram .
State government sanctioned ₹3 crore for a road to the site to enable public access.
Minister Kantilal Amrutiya , who led the drive, is undergoing cancer treatment and has pledged his remaining years to environmental work.
A request for additional government land along Machhu Dam has been submitted to expand the initiative.
A large-scale plantation drive has transformed 1,200 bighas of barren land near Machhu Dam in Gujarat's Morbi district into a dense green corridor, after 10 lakh saplings were planted in just 37 days during 2025. The project, named 'Namo Van', was inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on 17 September 2024 — coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday.
How the Drive Was Executed
The plantation was carried out on land owned by a Trust near Machhu Dam (2), which holds approximately 4,500 bighas in the area. Detailed groundwork preceded the drive: the barren land was levelled, thousands of tonnes of fertile soil were brought in from outside, large quantities of organic manure were added, and fencing was erected across the entire site.
Around 500 workers participated in the campaign, planting between 25,000 and 30,000 saplings every day. The effort was coordinated with the support of Sadbhavana Vruddhashram, which has been associated with the initiative from its earliest stages and continues to manage the plantation's maintenance, irrigation, and fertiliser supply.
What the Forest Looks Like Now
Saplings planted roughly eight months ago have grown substantially, according to reports, turning what was previously a dry, unproductive landscape into visibly dense greenery. The transformation along the Machhu Dam banks marks one of the more visible environmental interventions in the region in recent years.
The Man Behind the Mission
Minister of State for Labour, Skill Development and Employment, Kantilal Amrutiya — a six-time MLA from Morbi and a trustee of the land — led the initiative. Amrutiya, 64, recently underwent cancer surgery, completed five rounds of chemotherapy, and is currently undergoing immunotherapy.
'After my cancer surgery, I feel that nature has given me a second life. Now I want to dedicate my life to spreading awareness about natural farming and tree plantation,' he said. He added: 'I intend to dedicate the rest of my life to environmental conservation and natural farming after recovering from cancer.'
Government Support and Future Plans
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Namo Van site a second time ahead of recent local self-government elections and sanctioned ₹3 crore for the construction of a road to the forest area, improving public access. A formal request has also been submitted to the government for the allocation of adjacent government land along the Machhu Dam, with a view to expanding the plantation drive further.
With state backing secured and Sadbhavana Vruddhashram managing day-to-day operations, the focus now shifts to whether the Namo Van model can be replicated across other degraded land parcels in Gujarat.
Point of View
Yet long-term forest health depends on species diversity, water availability, and reduced maintenance dependency. Gujarat has a history of headline-grabbing green drives; what distinguishes durable afforestation from photo-opportunity greenery is canopy cover five years on, not eight months in. The state's decision to fund road access rather than ecological monitoring is a telling priority signal.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Namo Van in Morbi, Gujarat?
Namo Van is a plantation project developed on 1,200 bighas of Trust-owned land near Machhu Dam (2) in Morbi district, Gujarat, where 10 lakh saplings were planted in 37 days during 2025. It was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on 17 September 2024 to mark PM Modi's 75th birthday.
How were 10 lakh trees planted in just 37 days?
Around 500 workers planted between 25,000 and 30,000 saplings daily, supported by Sadbhavana Vruddhashram. Prior to planting, the land was levelled, fertile soil was brought in, organic manure was added, and fencing was erected across the site.
Who led the Namo Van plantation drive?
Minister of State Kantilal Amrutiya, a six-time MLA from Morbi and trustee of the land, led the initiative. Amrutiya, 64, is currently undergoing cancer treatment and has stated his intent to dedicate his life to environmental conservation and natural farming.
What government support has Namo Van received?
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel sanctioned ₹3 crore for the construction of a road to the forest site to improve visitor access. A request for allocation of additional government land along Machhu Dam has also been submitted for future plantation drives.
What is the current condition of the Namo Van forest?
According to reports, saplings planted approximately eight months ago have grown substantially, transforming the previously dry landscape into dense greenery along the Machhu Dam banks in Morbi.
