UP’s First Forest University to Be Built in Gorakhpur at Rs 500 Crore

Uttar Pradesh is set to establish its first forest university in Gorakhpur, marking a significant expansion in environmental and forest education in the state. The proposed university will come up on a 125-acre campus and will focus on specialised studies in forestry, wildlife conservation and environmental sciences.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the project, stating that the institution will provide students with advanced knowledge of flora, fauna and forest ecosystems at a time when environmental expertise is increasingly vital.

The state government has finalised the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the university, with the total project cost estimated at Rs 500 crore. The draft legislation for setting up the university is currently under final review. Once the state cabinet approves the DPR, the tender process will begin, followed by construction work.

The campus will be developed near the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Center in Gorakhpur, where the Chief Minister had first announced the plan on September 6, 2024. In the same year, the state budget allocated Rs 50 crore to initiate preliminary work. The government has now formally approved the 125-acre land parcel selected for the project.

The forest university will offer degree and diploma programmes in disciplines such as forestry, agroforestry, social forestry and horticulture. The curriculum will also include ecology, natural resource management and climate change studies, along with field-based training in forest and conservation zones.

Planned infrastructure includes separate hostels for male and female students with around 500 rooms, an administrative block, classrooms, an auditorium, modern laboratories, a sports ground and residential facilities for faculty members. Officials said the campus will support both academic learning and hands-on research.

The university is also expected to strengthen biotechnology and environmental research in Uttar Pradesh. It will facilitate detailed studies on wildlife, ecosystems and climate change, attracting students and researchers from across India and abroad.

Once completed, the institution is expected to emerge as a national-level centre for forest and environmental education. It will also play a crucial role in training professionals for forest departments, research bodies and conservation organisations, becoming the first dedicated forest university in India.