iamgurgaon is a Citizen-led Movement Dedicated to Restoring a Greener Future for Gurgaon.

Our first project started in 2011, Aravali Biodiversity Park spreads across 380 acres of land that was once a mining menace in Gurgaon. Today, the park has emerged as a paradigm for environmental preservation. It provides a sanctuary to more than 300 species of imperilled plants and 200 species of birds and wild animals.

In 2015, we breathed new life into a land that was once a dumping ground, and transformed it into a remarkable 5.2 KM urban mobility forest corridor. This green wonderland not only functions as a self-sufficient ecosystem but also acts as a carbon sink, reducing GHG emissions. The lush public space is a haven for those who cherish greenery and also caters to those who prefer non-motorised transport.

The storm water drain in the Wazirabad area was a significant polluter. Its rancid water was contaminated with non-biodegradable waste and sewage was released into it, posing serious ecological and sanitary implications. In partnership with MCG and numerous corporates in Gurgaon, we were able to clean all the garbage from the drains and ensure no more dumping.

Initially used as a waste dumping ground and an open defecation zone with several encroachments, the Badshahpur stretch was transformed into a 5.6 KM green corridor in 2018. It has now become not only a self-sustaining forest habitat that provides a haven for animal and plant life but also enables rainwater percolation, expediting groundwater recharge.

The Sikanderpur forest land spreads over 90 acres and is home to a large pond that was a septic tank of sewage and waste material. Initiated in 2019, our restoration project involved cleaning 500 tonnes of garbage, revitalising the water body and storm water channels, and building community spaces for leisure.

The 17-acre Ghata Bundh faced various challenges such as waste dumping, erosion, and contaminated catchment areas. To tackle these issues, we have taken significant steps that aim to manage storm water and revitalise the catchment area. Our goal is to restore the ecosystem, preserve natural heritage, and ensure the area’s stability and longevity.

Our work-in-progress project plays a crucial role in controlling floods with a groundwater recharge potential of 14,20,00,000 litres. This 180 acres of forest land built on a watershed site will manage 100% of storm water on MG Road. We are also restoring the area by removing waste, planting native Aravali species, and building natural trails, turning it into an urban laboratory for environmental education.

The Behrampur Bundh is a 800-meter-long area in Gurgaon that has been encroached on and is affected by waste dumping and erosion. It also houses a stone masonry culvert. We aim to restore and improve the area to promote natural wilderness and storm water management. The project offers opportunities for urban trails, interactive spaces, passive recreation, and environmental education.

Tau Sculpture

The Tau sculpture was placed in 2021 in partnership with the GMDA as part of our endeavour to add aesthetics to one of the most bustling locations in Gurgaon - IFFCO Chowk. It was the thought of promoting sustainability by repurposing waste that gave birth to this initiative.

When the world was struck by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, we along with other corporates, assisted in relief efforts by supplying testing kits, PPE kits, face masks, sanitisers, oxygen concentrators etc. to different frontline employees such as sanitation, hospital, and police officials. We also contributed to the funding of Medeor Hospital, making it Gurgaon’s first specialised COVID-19 care facility.

The freshly painted foot-over bridge near Qutub Plaza market in Gurugram Phase-1 has been transformed into a scenic area. The artist, Dharya Gambhir opted to depict the birds of the Aravali region that inhabit our city. Our objective was to revive the bridge, which had been neglected and had turned into a dumping ground, and bring some liveliness to it.

Gopal Namjoshi’s stunning art installation in Gurgaon features soaring metal panels adorned with bird silhouettes, representing our city’s rising aspirations and connection to nature. The installation was created from over ten tonnes of metal and concrete waste, showcasing the potential for innovative transformation of waste into art and our commitment to ecological challenges.

The BYOB movement that started in 2016 urges individuals to take responsibility for their plastic waste by promoting the use of reusable bags and spreading awareness about the harmful effects of single-use plastic. Our goal was to inspire a shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle, where we, as responsible citizens, play an active role in protecting the environment.

To combat the hazardous waste crisis in Gurgaon, a Samadhaan Hub has been established. The hub offers educational resources, exhibits on waste reduction, and a solutions wall featuring companies to assist residents. To reduce environmental damage, waste recycling units that enable recycling of different kinds of waste (paper, plastic, metal, e-waste, glass) have also been set up.

Raahgiri was a weekly event that aimed to reclaim the streets of cities as social hubs. It promoted a car-free lifestyle and encouraged people to walk, cycle, or skate. We provided a platform for community leisure activities like street games, street dancing, and fitness classes. It was successful in Gurgaon and was adopted by more than 70 other cities in 18 states within 4.5 years.

The Million Trees Gurgaon is a bold move to plant a staggering one million local species in the region. The project has gained support from diverse stakeholders, and since its inception in 2011, we have successfully planted 2,97,305 trees under different initiatives. Million Trees Gurgaon is a shining light that shows it is still possible to revive and rejuvenate the natural world around us.

Aranya began with a mission to provide top-quality native plant saplings from the Aravali forest for ecological restoration. During this journey, we discovered that forest species were scarce in regional department nurseries. As a result, Aranya was created to address this issue. Over the years, we have added many rare plants to our ecological restoration sites, providing a diverse habitat for various forms of life.