How Rajkot Turned a 16-Lakh-Tonne Dumpsite Into a Thriving Urban Forest

7 July 2025

For years, Nakrawadi in Rajkot was a 20-acre dumping ground, choking under nearly 16 lakh tonnes of garbage piled up over decades.

Every day, 700 tonnes of the city’s waste would end up here. Today, that same ground is home to dense greenery and fresh air.

To reclaim the toxic site, Rajkot launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to map and plan the removal of 16 lakh tonnes of waste.

Advanced machinery was used to segregate the waste into refuse-derived fuel, compost, and inert material — Each sent for safe disposal or productive reuse.

To transform the space, over 2.35 lakh native and fast-growing trees were planted using the Miyawaki technique.

A 12-km pipeline was laid to bring treated water from the Gauridad Sewage Treatment Plant — ensuring year-round irrigation without burdening freshwater sources.

To support this, the site was equipped with drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, and water-harvesting ponds — Maximising water efficiency and recharging groundwater naturally.

Despite challenges like monsoon delays, toxic soil, and foul odour, Rajkot successfully reclaimed 20 acres, turning waste into wealth.

The project followed a circular economy model — Where waste was converted into fuel, compost, and energy instead of being dumped again.

Local self-help groups and volunteers were engaged to support the transformation — Bringing in livelihoods, community pride, and long-term ownership.

Rajkot’s forest isn’t just a patch of green — It’s proof that even the most polluted land can be reborn with the right vision.