The Gujarat government is building a special memorial park called ‘Sindoor Van’ in the Kutch district, close to the Pakistan border. This park will honor the bravery of India’s armed forces and the unity shown by the country during Operation Sindoor, which was India’s response to terror attacks from across the border.
Officials said the park will be built on eight hectares of forest department land near Mirzapar on the Bhuj-Mandvi road. The area also includes the spot where Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a public event after Operation Sindoor. During that event, he was given a sindoor plant by women who had helped rebuild the Bhuj air base in 1971. He said he would take the plant to the PM House and grow it into a large tree.
Kutch Collector Anand Patel said the park will represent the joint efforts of the Army, Air Force, BSF, and other forces during Operation Sindoor. The project is expected to be completed in about 1.5 years, and work has already started.
The park will also include a section to honor the victims of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which three of the 26 victims were from Gujarat.
Key features of Sindoor Van:
- A theme-based forest with high-density plantation of about 10,000 plants per hectare, including sindoor plants, herbs, and trees.
- Sections dedicated to the BSF, Army, Air Force, and Navy.
- Murals and models of military equipment and aircraft used during Operation Sindoor.
- 35 plant species chosen to suit the local soil and climate.
According to the BSF, over 600 missiles and drones were launched during Operation Sindoor. Around 40% of these attacks happened in Gujarat, while the rest occurred in Rajasthan’s Barmer area.