smritivan memorial plants circular concrete reservoirs dedicated to 2001 gujarat earthquake victims

a Memorial to victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Gujarat

Vastushilpa Sangath LLP has undertaken the design of the Smritivan Memorial in Gujarat, India, a solemn tribute to the individuals who perished in the tragic 2001 Gujarat earthquake. The former Chief Minister of Gujarat, now the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, had a clear directive: ‘plant a tree for each victim.’ Trees are powerful symbols of rebirth, renewal, and hope — a reminder that life can start anew. The act of planting trees also represents the formation of a diverse and inclusive community, much like a forest that comprises many different species. With this in mind, the design team established a series of small reservoirs scattered throughout the 452-acre arid property. Over time, the landscape will thrive and transform into a verdant setting.

On January 26, 2001, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck the Kutch region of Gujarat, resulting in widespread devastation. The disaster claimed the lives of more than 13,000 people and caused immeasurable damage to the habitat, property, and infrastructure, costing billions. The trauma inflicted upon the affected individuals cannot be adequately quantified.

Kutch has a long history of coping with the unpredictability of nature, dating back at least 4500 years to the Harappan civilization. The region has endured countless natural calamities, such as cyclones and droughts, which have shaped its ‘culture of resilience’. Water remains the scarcest natural resource, and as a result, the ecology, economy, culture, social structure, festivals, and struggle for survival of the area all revolve around this element.all images by Vinay Panjwani

Nurturing Life in Arid Terrain

This simple but profound brief led the architects to envision two interrelated approaches: one for the families of the victims, who would visit the site as pilgrims to pay their respects to their loved ones, and the other focused on nurturing the trees and promoting resilience in the arid terrain of Kutch. ‘We earnestly believe it is only necessary to initially assist the earth till the new initiative takes root, and then nature takes over,’ shared the architects at Vastushilpa Sangath LLP (see more here). This support involved identifying local species, determining the water flow paths, assessing the soil composition and nutrients, and designing tanks and areas where water could slowly seep into the earth.

The design was subsequently developed by strategically placing small-scale reservoirs on the 452-acre land. The first phase of this design, which encompassed approximately 199 acres, has already been implemented. Over time, as nature takes its course and vegetation thrives, the experience of the Smritivan Memorial will change. The diverse flora and fauna will develop into an ecosystem that seamlessly integrates with the constructed forms, gradually enshrouding them in a cohesive labyrinth of greenery and water. Ultimately, Smritivan will be more than a static memorial or a garden; it will be a living commemoration of Kutch’s resilience and hope.

a pilgrimage site for families of the victims, promoting resilience in the arid terrain of Kutch

The design team sought to create an interactive gathering point. Thus, in addition to the reservoirs, a sun point was constructed at the top of the hill. The sun point provides visitors with sweeping views of the town and encourages contemplation. It serves as a lune-solar calendar, tracing the movements of the sun and moon through the circular ring, with various notches marking significant cultural days. This connection to the cosmos ‘reminds one of the larger cosmic event one temporarily inhabits’.

small-scale reservoirs were strategically positioned on the 452-acre land