Uttar Pradesh to set up first forest university in Gorakhpur

Uttar Pradesh will set up its first forest university in Gorakhpur, with the state government clearing key approvals to move the project forward.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the university will be developed on a 125-acre site and will focus on education and research in forests, wildlife, and environmental sciences.

He said the institution will provide students with opportunities to acquire specialized knowledge related to flora, fauna, and forestry.

The state government has finalized the Detailed Project Report, pegging the estimated cost of the university at ₹500 crore. The draft legislation required to establish the university is under final review.

Officials said that once the state cabinet approves the DPR, the tender process will begin, followed by construction.

The campus will come up near the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Center, where the chief minister had first announced the proposal on Sept 6, 2024.

In the 2024 budget, the state had allocated ₹50 crore to initiate preparatory work. The government has since approved the identified 125-acre land parcel for the project.

Academic programs will include forestry, agroforestry, social forestry, and horticulture, with both degree and diploma courses planned for students interested in forest sciences and conservation-related careers.

According to officials, the infrastructure plan includes separate hostels for male and female students with around 500 rooms in total.

The campus will also house an administrative block, classrooms, an auditorium, advanced laboratories, sports facilities, and residential quarters for faculty. The design is intended to support classroom learning as well as field-based research.

The forest university is expected to strengthen biotechnology and environmental research in the state, enabling more detailed studies of wildlife, ecosystems, and climate change.

Students from Uttar Pradesh, other parts of India, and overseas will be able to undertake research in conservation and environmental studies.

Officials said the curriculum will also cover ecology, natural resources, climate change, horticulture, and forestry, with practical training modules conducted in forest and conservation areas.

They said the project will help build a skilled workforce for forest departments, research institutions, and conservation organizations.

With land approval in place and the DPR completed, the proposed university has moved closer to becoming a national-level center for forest education. Once established, it is expected to be India’s first dedicated forest university.