Gandhinagar: Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Narmada district is set to add a new nature attraction featuring evergreen vegetation from across India, with a 220-metre-long glass-deck skywalk serving as its centrepiece.
Spread across 47,000 square metres, the rainforest project has been developed near the new Gora Bridge and close to the Vagadiya Checkpost at an estimated cost of ₹9.49 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the facility during his Gujarat visit on October 30-31.
The rainforest has been designed to showcase plant species native to the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, the Himalayas and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Its landscape and educational facilities will introduce visitors to forest ecology, biodiversity and conservation.
The glass-deck skywalk is expected to offer elevated views of the surrounding greenery. Other attractions include a waterfall measuring between five and eight metres in height, a circular pond and connecting bridges.
The entrance gate, measuring 20 feet high and 40 feet wide, has been constructed using natural stone. Walking trails made from Narmada stone, traditional brick-and-lime elements, tree-lined stretches and carefully planned vegetation are intended to recreate the layered appearance of a rainforest.
Educational facilities and children’s play area
An information centre will provide visitors with educational material on rainforest ecosystems, biodiversity and forest conservation. Maps, illustrations, displays and QR codes will help explain the importance of forest habitats and the need to protect them.
The facility will also feature a dedicated children’s play area equipped with a rock-climbing wall, slides of varying heights, swings and tree balconies connected by stairways.
Boost to eco-tourism at Ekta Nagar
The project is intended to expand the range of attractions at Ekta Nagar, which is home to the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue.
By bringing vegetation associated with different regions of India into one location, the rainforest aims to offer visitors an opportunity to explore the country’s ecological diversity while promoting environmental awareness.
The facility is also expected to strengthen eco-tourism and support local economic activity. Its educational features could provide opportunities for students, researchers and nature enthusiasts to learn about biodiversity, forest ecosystems and conservation.
-IANS