Gorakhpur is set to become home to Uttar Pradesh’s first dedicated forestry and horticulture university, with district administration and forest department officials moving quickly to finalise arrangements ahead of a foundation stone-laying ceremony by the Chief Minister.
Site, scale and timeline
Officials said the institution will be established on 50 hectares (123.55 acres) of land at Bharaibaisi in the Campierganj area. The project, described as a flagship initiative of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, carries an estimated price tag of over ₹491 crore. Authorities expect construction to be completed within two years of work commencing.
Courses, facilities and objectives
The new university will offer a range of academic programmes and vocational training, according to the government order and the UP Forestry and Horticulture University Act, 2026, issued on August 17. Planned academic offerings include BSc, MSc, PhD and diploma courses in subjects such as forestry, horticulture, wildlife conservation, climate change, natural resource management, agroforestry and fruit cultivation.
Campus facilities outlined in the proposal include administrative and academic blocks, a central library, an auditorium, student hostels with capacity for 895 students, 401 residential units for staff and faculty, a farmer welfare centre, a health centre and a guest house. Officials said the university will also focus on applied research and extension work aimed at farmers and local communities.
"The university would also promote research and provide modern training to farmers and students," Divisional Forest Officer Shubham Singh said.
Administrative steps and political context
The project accelerated after the Chief Minister announced it on September 6, 2024, at the inauguration of the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre in Campierganj. The state cabinet cleared the draft ordinance on April 7, 2026, followed by a government order on April 22, and the university Act was notified in August 2026. Officials are now preparing for the foundation stone ceremony, signalling the transition from planning to execution.
Local impact and expected benefits
Local officials and forest department sources say the university is intended to serve multiple purposes: strengthening scientific research in forestry and horticulture, supplying trained professionals to the state’s tree-based and crop sectors, and providing practical training to farmers to improve productivity and climate resilience. The inclusion of courses on wildlife conservation and climate change reflects a broader policy emphasis on environmental management and sustainable land use.
- Land: 50 hectares (123.55 acres)
- Estimated cost: over ₹491 crore
- Student hostel capacity: 895
- Residential units: 401
- Timeline: construction to be completed within two years
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Bharaibaisi, Campierganj, Gorakhpur |
| Law notified | UP Forestry and Horticulture University Act, 2026 (17 August 2026) |
| Key programmes | BSc, MSc, PhD, Diploma (forestry, horticulture, wildlife conservation, climate change, agroforestry) |
For Gorakhpur, the campus could mean new employment opportunities during construction and later in teaching, research and outreach. It may also attract students and professionals from other districts, raising the city’s profile as an education and research hub in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Officials have not yet announced the date for the Chief Minister’s foundation stone-laying visit, but preparations by the district administration and forest department indicate that the ceremony is being prioritised. With the legal framework in place and land identified, Gorakhpur is poised to host an institution aimed at strengthening the state’s forestry and horticulture capacity.
