Gujarat is planning to build a tropical forest dome on the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to create more green spaces in the city. Inspired by Singapore’s greenery, the project will let people walk through a forest-like area with fake rain and thick fog.
This special forest will be built a few feet above the ground inside a large dome and is expected to bring a new and exciting change to the city’s development.
Technology Meets Nature
The tropical forest project will cost Rs 22 crore and will be located near a sports complex on the western side of the riverfront. Spread over 7,000 square meters, the forest will be housed within a 1,600 square meter dome. The forest will use advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to take care of the plants. AI will manage the water supply and make sure the plants get the right amount of artificial sunlight. This will help exotic plants like heliconias, orchids, and alocasia grow in a healthy and controlled environment.
Surbana Jurong to Lead Future Development
The tropical forest is just one part of a much larger riverfront expansion project. Surbana Jurong, a Singapore-based company owned by Temasek, has been chosen by the Gujarat government to design and plan phases four to six of the Sabarmati Riverfront. These new phases will stretch 16.5 km from the Narmada Main Canal to Chiloda Bridge and will extend into Gandhinagar and GIFT City. The total expansion will eventually cover 38 km.
Surbana Jurong is already familiar with Gujarat, having worked on a housing project for the Gujarat Housing Board in 2019 to build 15,000 affordable homes. The company is also known for designing a theme park along a riverfront in China.
Phase-wise Development and Added Attractions
The first two phases of the riverfront in Ahmedabad, covering 11.5 km and 5.5 km, were designed by HCP Design Planning and Management Pvt Ltd under architect Bimal Patel. These phases included parks, sports areas, and walkways that have now become important parts of the city. Work for phase five, which will connect to GIFT City, is already in progress. The state irrigation department has completed the basic infrastructure, and Surbana Jurong will begin work soon.
Besides the tropical forest, the upcoming phases will include an international park, ferry rides, and maybe even water taxis. There are also plans to plant over 2.35 lakh trees in a green belt, and set up spaces like libraries, cafes, and promenades for people to enjoy river views.
Features of the Dome Forest in Singapore
Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore! This stunning conservatory features a 35-meter-tall indoor waterfall and a lush mountain covered with exotic plants from cloud forest habitats. It’s designed to mimic the cool, misty conditions found in tropical highlands, making it a unique experience.
Visitors can explore aerial walkways, admire rare vegetation like carnivorous plants, and even enjoy immersive exhibitions like Jurassic World: The Experience, which brings animatronic dinosaurs to life within the misty forest setting
Cultural Importance and Global Attention
The Sabarmati Riverfront has also become a symbol of Gujarat’s cultural growth. It has hosted many international leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who were welcomed here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The tropical forest project is not just about beauty- it’s about blending technology with nature to create a peaceful space for city people. It will help visitors understand and value biodiversity in a new way.
This project proves that urban development and nature can work together. It offers a fresh vision for future green spaces around the world and shows how cities can care for both people and the environment.