Shahid Smriti Van earns national recognition for tackling industrial pollution
Surat-based environmentalist Viral Desai has received national acclaim for his flagship urban forest project, ‘Shahid Smriti Van’, which is being recognised for its measurable impact in combating industrial air pollution.
The recognition came during the National Environmental Conference held at IIT Bombay, where experts from leading institutions, including NEERI and CPCB, highlighted the project’s contribution to improving air quality in industrial regions.
Scientific validation for the initiative was presented through a study titled “Effect of Dense Vegetation on PM Concentration in Industrial Area of Surat City.” Conducted by researchers Abhishek Patel and Rajeshree Kadachha under the guidance of Dr Namrata Jariwala at SVNIT Surat, the research used remote sensing tools alongside real-time ground monitoring to assess environmental impact.
The findings showed a significant reduction in PM2.5 levels in areas surrounding the dense vegetation of Shahid Smriti Van, located in Surat’s Udhna industrial belt—an area historically affected by high pollution levels.
Desai, often referred to as the “Greenman” for his environmental initiatives, said the forest serves a dual purpose—improving ecological health while honoring national heroes. “It is truly serving as the green lungs for the industrial belt of Surat,” he said, referring to his ‘one tree for one martyr’ initiative embedded within the project.
Desai has emerged as a key figure in India’s urban sustainability movement. His work has also earned him multiple national awards for energy conservation, setting a benchmark for integrating environmental restoration with community-driven initiatives. Experts at the conference noted that projects like Shahid Smriti Van could serve as scalable models for industrial cities across India, where balancing economic activity with environmental sustainability remains a pressing challenge.
