Forestry university work catches pace; to be 5th in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur: The groundwork for Gorakhpur's fifth university dedicated to forestry and horticulture is picking up pace following CM Yogi Adityanath's announcement. State govt has already earmarked Rs 50 crore in the 2025-26 budget and detailed project report is in final stages of preparation, said district magistrate Krishna Karunesh.
The proposed site for the university has been identified. It is 50 hectares reserved forest land in Campierganj's Bhaari Vaish Block. To comply with Forest Conservation and Augmentation Act, 2023, state has applied for central clearance through the Parivesh portal. In exchange, 50 acres of non-forest land in Khajni will be handed over to forest department for compensatory afforestation, said district forest officer Vikas Yadav. The university, once operational, will be the first of its kind in North India and only the second such institution in the country, following Telangana. Globally, it will be the fourth forestry university. The CM had announced plan for the university on Sep 6, 2024, during inauguration of the world's first red-headed vulture conservation centre.
UP forest, environment and climate change department has given in-principle approval for the project. The draft Act for the university has also been submitted to state govt. The Rs 621.26 crore project, prepared by PWD, includes 6 hectares for main buildings and hostels, with the remaining space reserved for green cover.
Apart from forestry, courses in agroforestry, social forestry and horticulture will also be offered, opening significant employment avenues for youth.