Bhopal is set to get a new urban forest under the Morvan Project, following an MoU exchanged between KRIBHCO and the Madhya Pradesh State Biodiversity Board on Saturday in the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav.
The agreement was exchanged during a programme in Bhopal that brought together initiatives focused on urban greening, biodiversity conservation and the expansion of dairy cooperatives across the state.
MoU signed in presence of Minister Shah and MP CM Dr Yadav
MoU signed for Bhopal’s urban forest
Under the agreement, an urban forest will be developed in Bhopal as part of the Morvan Project. The MoU was exchanged by Madhya Pradesh Biodiversity Board Member Secretary Sudeep Singh and KRIBHCO Managing Director SS Yadav in the presence of Minister Shah and CM Dr Yadav.
The project aims to expand the city’s green cover while promoting biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. The proposed urban forest is also expected to provide greater protection to local plant species and biodiversity, strengthening efforts to create a greener urban environment.
The initiative is intended to increase green spaces in Bhopal and provide residents with a cleaner and more natural setting. Alongside environmental benefits, the project will focus on conserving trees, plants and local biodiversity within the urban landscape.
Push for dairy cooperatives in Madhya Pradesh
The programme also highlighted the state government’s initiatives and achievements in the cooperative and dairy sectors during the state-level Gopalak Conference.
It was stated at the event that Madhya Pradesh has taken steps towards launching a dairy revolution, with more than 1,700 dairy cooperative societies formed across the state. The expansion has been linked to efforts to strengthen the cooperative sector under Shah’s guidance.
Following an MoU between Sanchi and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), milk collection in the state has increased to 12 lakh litres per day, according to the information shared at the programme.
Representative image
The government said the increase in milk collection has also benefited cattle rearers, who are now receiving Rs 8.50 more per litre for their milk. It said rising milk production is helping improve the incomes of farmers and gopalaks involved in dairy activities.
Target of 50 lakh litres of milk collection
The state government has set its sights on further expanding the dairy economy. Its stated target is to increase milk collection in Madhya Pradesh to 50 lakh litres per day in the coming years.
The broader plan is to build an income-based rural economy around milk production, while also encouraging the preparation of manure from cow dung. The government believes greater institutional support for dairy activities can strengthen the rural economy and create additional employment opportunities for young people.
Another still from the event
With the urban forest project and expansion of dairy cooperatives forming key parts of the programme, the initiatives seek to combine environmental conservation with efforts to strengthen rural livelihoods and the cooperative sector in Madhya Pradesh.