Chandigarh: The Department of Forests & Wildlife, Chandigarh Administration in collaboration with Yuvsatta – an NGO organized today organized ‘Palash Day Celebrations’ atForest Area behind Police Lines, Sector-26, Chandigarh. Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, IAS, Home Secretary-cum-Secretary (Forests), Chandigarh Administration was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Around 150 students from Delhi Public School, Sector-40, Govt. Girls Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 18-D, St.Stephen’s School, Sector 45-B, Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector-26 and Chandigarh Institute of Hotel Management, Sector-42 participated in the endeavor. About 400 saplings of palash were planted on the occasion.
Welcoming the Chief Guest, Sh. Santosh Kumar, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chandigarh Administration informed that from last year onward each year July 24th is celebrated as ‘Palash Day’ to promote Palash as the State Flower of Chandigarh.
Appreciating the efforts of Forests & Wildlife Department and involvement of young students to preserve the greenery in the city for present and posterity Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, IAS, Secretary (Forests) said that such nature grooves are most important in urban cities like Chandigarh. As one spend time in nature, one feels happier & stressed out. He exhorted all students to plant more trees in this monsoon season so as to contribute in increase of greenery.
On the occasion, students of aforesaid school/college also participated in the ‘Plantation Drive’ by planting saplings and spent time in nature and learn about an importance of greenery. Prominent amongst those present were Dr.Abdul Qayum, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Chandigarh, Sh. Pramod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta and Sh. Kulbhushan Kanwar- Environmentalist.
