The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) is set to launch a large-scale plantation drive at the Dadumajra dumping ground in the first week of July, converting eight acres of the site into a green lung with 10,000 to 12,000 trees and flowering shrubs. The initiative, likely to be inaugurated by Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, aims to create an ecological buffer zone that will improve air quality, reduce pollution, and enhance the living environment for nearby residents.
Green Wall to Shield Residential Areas
The dense plantation will form a "green wall" along the boundary wall near habitation, shielding residential areas of Dadumajra, Patiala Ki Rao Choe, the roadside stretch along the national highway, and Dakshin Marg leading to the Marble Market. The UT forest department is assisting the MC in executing the plan.
According to an MC official, "Senior officials shared details of the plan and ongoing work during a recent high-level meeting led by the chief secretary. The MC has already deployed manpower and machinery. This initiative marks a significant step toward a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for the community."
Execution Details
Dedicated vehicles have been deployed to transport soil from Patiala Ki Rao Choe to the dumping ground. Excavation at Patiala Ki Rao will be monitored and videographed both at the source and at the dumpsite. Sub-divisional engineers (SDEs) and junior engineers (JEs) have been assigned for supervision.
The project requires one-metre depth of good quality earth for an effective plantation bed. Soil will be sourced from excavation at Patiala Ki Rao and transported to the Dadumajra site. The daily target is 1,000 cubic metres of soil per day for 30 days, including excavation, transport, and bed preparation.
Tree and Shrub Species
The plantation will include 5,000 trees and 5,000 flowering shrubs. Tree species comprise 3,000 bamboo, 300 camphor, 500 pipal, 200 pilkhan, and 1,000 Ficus Benjamina. Flowering shrubs include hardy, fast-growing varieties such as hibiscus, tecoma, and Hamelia patens with bright blooms for hedging and screening, as well as fragrant, ornamental shrubs like Raat Ki Raani, Chandni single, and Calliandra that attract pollinators and enhance biodiversity.
All 5,000 shrubs will be planted along the eight-acre boundary wall in staggered double rows, spaced 1.5 metres apart, to create dense cover and effective screening.
