India, Aug. 3 -- Union ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Bhupender Yadav on Saturday laid the foundation stone of Matri Van, a 750-acre theme-based urban forest to be developed near Sector 54 in Gurugram to revive the ecological health of the Aravalli hills and enhance green cover across the National Capital Region, officials said.

The forest, envisioned as a "green heart" of Delhi-NCR, is part of the central government's "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign. It is expected to function as a natural carbon sink, enhance air quality, and offer ecological relief to the rapidly urbanising region. The project is targeted for completion within five years.

Inspecting the site near Sakatpur village, Union environment minister Yadav described the initi...