In a unique tribute to Operation Sindoor, Sindoor Van will be created in Ahmedabad’s Chandlodia Ward. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel kickstarted the initiative yesterday on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Sindoor Van in Ahmedabad
On the occasion of World Environment Day, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) ambitious Mission Four Million Trees campaign. As part of the celebrations, he also launched the development of Sindoor Van, a dedicated nature park in the Chandlodia ward, by planting a Sindoor (Bixa orellana) sapling at the site.
According to an official release, the Sindoor Van will consist of 551 Sindoor trees and is being created in memory of civilians martyred in the Pahalgam terror attack, while also paying tribute to the Bharatiya Armed Forces for their role in Operation Sindoor.
This marks the second such park in Gujarat commemorating Operation Sindoor. Earlier, on June 3, authorities in Kutch district announced a high-density micro forest near Bhuj, close to the Pakistan border, as a memorial for the same.
During the event, CM Patel also flagged off a special tableau and 11 tree chariots as part of the citywide greening drive. Under the Mission Four Million Tree and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiatives, AMC aims to plant 40 lakh trees to enhance the city’s green cover, reduce pollution, and lower temperatures. The tree chariots will visit homes across Ahmedabad, offering citizens the opportunity to plant saplings free of cost. AMC plans to roll out 38 such chariots in the coming days.
To further involve the public, AMC has launched a toll-free number and enabled participation through the AMC Seva app. In addition, the Chief Minister also honoured five winners of an environment-themed drawing competition, awarding them bicycles as a gesture to encourage eco-friendly practices.
All you need to know about the Sindoor trees
The Sindoor tree (Bixa orellana), also known as Annatto or Lipstick Tree, is a small to medium-sized evergreen shrub or tree native to tropical regions of the Americas but widely naturalized and cultivated across Bharat, especially in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Kerala. In Bharat, it is popularly called Sindoor due to the bright red-orange dye extracted from its seeds, which resembles the vermilion (sindoor) traditionally used by Hindu women as a symbol of marriage.
The tree typically grows to a height of 6–10 meters and is noted for its heart-shaped, broad green leaves and clusters of pink to white flowers. However, its most distinctive feature is its spiny, reddish-brown seed pods that contain numerous small seeds coated in a waxy, reddish aril rich in carotenoid pigments—mainly bixin and norbixin.
Traditionally, the dye derived from the seeds has been used not only as natural colorant in cosmetics, textiles, and food (including cheeses, butter, and snacks), but also in religious and cultural practices, particularly in Hindu Dharma. The bright sindoor powder plays a central role in various rituals and customs, symbolizing auspiciousness, marital bliss, and the divine feminine power.
Medicinally, Bixa orellana holds an important place in Ayurveda and folk medicine, where it is valued for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Different parts of the plant—leaves, seeds, bark—are used to treat skin issues, fevers, digestive problems, and infections.
Ecologically, the Sindoor tree is significant for its low maintenance, drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in a variety of soil conditions, making it suitable for afforestation and reforestation efforts. Its dense foliage provides shade and habitat for birds and small animals, contributing to biodiversity.
With its deep cultural, medicinal, ecological, and aesthetic value, the Sindoor tree is now being increasingly planted in urban greening projects, such as the recently announced Sindoor Van in Ahmedabad, which not only honours the Bharatiya Armed Forces and civilians martyred in terror attacks but also promotes awareness about native species and environmental sustainability. The tree thus stands at the intersection of tradition, ecology, and remembrance. Sindoor Van will hopefully inspire other states to follow suit.
