Barinder Saluja, Chandigarh,June 5 : The Advisor to Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Mr. K.K Sharma after planting a sampling released ‘Greening ‘Chandigarh Action Plan 2011-12’ on the occasion of World Environment Day at Botanical Garden, village Sarangpur on Sunday, June 5, 2011. The Advisor planted a sapling of Rudraksha tree in the Botanical Garden on the occasion. ‘Best Eco-Club Awards-2010’ was also distributed by the Chief Guest. Special Achievement award was also awarded to Sohanjana Eco Club of Govt. Model Senior Secondary School Sector 46D, Chandigarh for 2010-11 for outstanding environmental activities.Previously, UT Administrator, Sh. Shivraj V Patil, was supposed to preside over the function, but due to some urgent work, the duty was handed over to Advisor to Administrator.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sharma, appreciated the efforts taken by all stake holders in making Chandigarh a green city. He called upon the NGOs, RWAs, Eco clubs, Schools & Colleges and govt departments to plant more & more trees and to make the ‘Greening Chandigarh Action Plan 2011-12’ a grand success. He also congratulated the department of Forest and wildlife department for achieving Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award-2010 which was given to U.T. Chandigarh by Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India.
Finance-cum-forest Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, Mr. V.K.Singh said that Chandigarh has been able to increase its Green cover from 33 Sq Km to 54 Sq Km over a period of one decade which is an achievement. He also informed that against the target of 1,90,072 saplings, 2,27,291 saplings were planted during the year 2010-11. The target for plantation during the year 2011-12 is 2,30,897 saplings. He informed that the Greening Chandigarh Action Plan 2011-12 has been added some more new features for the public. Location of six nurseries of Forest Dept, One each of Engineering Dept. and Municipal Corporation along with the contact person & their number has been shown in the plan. Home Gardening Tips for residents of Chandigarh with expert advice of Dr. Satish Narula, Senior Horticulturist, PAU, Ludhiana has also been added as one chapter. One exclusive chapter on Medicinal Plants/herbs along with their parts and its uses for various ailments has also been added in the plan.
The foundation stone was laid on 30th May, 2002 by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) J.F.R. Jacob, the then Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh. This garden has been connected with the nature reserve known as Patiala-ki-Rao forest through a causeway. Patiala-ki-Rao forest spreads over 350 acres of land. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. S. F. Rodrigues, the then Governor of Punjab & Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, the champion of the cause of environment and keen nature lover, guided the project through his constant inspiration and guidance. H.E. inaugurated the garden on 2nd January, 2007. This garden when fully developed would be one of the biggest in this region. The garden consists of 15 Botanical Sections. The primary aim of setting up of Botanical Garden is to promote research, education, ex-situ conservation and to spread awareness about our floral heritage. In addition, the garden would help promote eco-tourism in Chandigarh. Medicinal Plants Garden/ Herbal Garden has been developed over 40 acres of land. More than 75 species of medicinal trees and 55 species of medicinal shrubs, herbs & climbers have already been planted in this section. Tree species like Harar, Bahera, Amla, Neem, Arjun, Maulsari, Bael, Kathal, Sandalwood, Kachnar, Camphor, Lasura, Gular, Rudraksha, Jamun, Sita Ashok, Guggal, Putranjeeva etc. have been planted alongwith about 55 varieties of medicinal herbs like Giloe, Akarkara, Gokhru, Ghritkumari, Ashwagandha, Sarpagandha, Tulsi, Mehndi, Kalmegh, Bhringraj, Mandukparni, Brahmi, Bansa, Vacha etc.
75 IFS Probationers who were on their study tour to Chandigarh also attended the function.
In the end conservator of Forest and Director Environment, Mr. Santosh Kumar thanked all the school children, the members of the village panchayats and the members of the N.G.Os for their support in making the plan a reality.