Haryana paints public walls with nature murals to drive conservation push

₹20 lakh project spans six districts, covering 9,000 sq ft; artworks aim to nudge behavioural change and expand to schools, parks, public spaces.

The Haryana Forest Department has launched a large-scale beautification initiative, transforming office walls into nature-themed artworks across multiple districts including Gurugram, officials said.

Nearly 90% work done; Gurugram sites include court walls, forest office and sanctuary as officials push awareness through visual storytelling (Parveen Kumar/HT)

Officials told HT that the project, which started in the second week of March, aims to sensitise citizens, especially children, towards nature conservation through visual storytelling.

District forest officer (DFO) Rajkumar Singh said the ₹20 lakh worth project, being executed by artists from Panipat, covers nearly 9,000 square feet. “Boundary walls of various government offices have been painted with murals and environmental messages. The work spans across six districts—Gurugram, Rewari, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Palwal and Faridabad—and around 90% of it has already been completed,” he said.

Work underway in Gurugram, Nuh, Rewari, Palwal, Mahendragarh, Faridabad; department plans expansion beyond govt premises soon. (Parveen Kumar/HT)

In Gurugram, murals have been completed at the district forest office, the district court’s boundary wall, and parts of the wildlife sanctuary in Nahar. The artworks feature depictions of forests, birds, animals, and biodiversity.

“The idea is to not just beautify spaces but to create a connection between people and nature. These paintings serve as constant reminders of the environment we are a part of and responsible for,” said DFO Singh.

The project began with the department’s own office premises and is gradually expanding to other public-facing spaces, said officials.

Haryana’s forest and environment minister, Rao Narbir Singh, told HT that it is a powerful step towards behavioural change. “Environmental protection is not just a policy matter, it is a collective responsibility. These murals are not just colours on walls; they are reminders that if we fail to protect nature today, we risk losing it forever. Such initiatives inspire awareness and ownership among citizens,” he said.

The Forest Department aims to spark conversations around sustainability and encourage similar efforts in schools, parks, and residential areas.