Madhya Pradesh to develop Meghdoot forest in Ujjain

Tags: Environment place in news State News

Madhya Pradesh government will develop land freed from illegal encroachments in and around Mahakal temple in Ujjain as an urban forest called as Meghdoot. It is being built under the second phase of Shri Mahakal Lok project. 

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan performed bhoomipujan for the proposed Meghdoot forest in Ujjain on 18 October 2022. 

Mahakal Lok project has been launched by the Madhya Pradesh Government to develop the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain on the model of Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. The first phase of the Mahakal Lok project was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 October 2022.

Meghdoot forest 

The Madhya Pradesh government has freed about 7 acres of land around the temple area which was under illegal encroachment. This area will be developed by the Ujjain Smart City as an urban forest named Meghdoot,  at a cost of Rs 11.36 crore. 

In the Meghdoot forest, there will be a beautiful entrance area, greenery area, walkways, along with seating, restaurant and a beautiful environment on the river banks.

Madhya Pradesh 

It is the second largest state area wise in India after Rajasthan.

According to the Indian State of Forest Report -2021, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country area wise. 

25.14 % of its area is under forest cover.