The Chandigarh administration has set an ambitious target of over 4.1 lakh plantations for the financial year 2026-27, with a renewed focus on improving survival rates and filling gaps across the city. The initiative prioritizes roadside and open-space greening to achieve full green coverage.
Review Meeting Highlights Quality Over Quantity
During a review of the plantation plan on Thursday, Home Secretary-cum-Forest Secretary Mandip Singh Brar directed various departments to shift their focus from the quantity of plantations to the quality and sustainability of the saplings. He emphasized the need to saturate gaps in existing green cover to ensure comprehensive greening.
Key Directives Issued
Brar instructed the Municipal Corporation and the Engineering Department to prioritize gap plantation, particularly along roadsides and open spaces, in line with the administrator's directions. He stressed that efforts must be made to maintain and further improve sapling survival rates across the city.
The administration has fixed a target of 4,10,725 plantations and sapling distributions for 2026-27. Officials informed that the city exceeded its previous year's target, achieving 6,64,133 plantations against a target of 5,76,221, with an average survival rate of 79%.
Training Program to Boost Outcomes
To improve plantation outcomes, the Forest Department will organize a two-day training program on plantation techniques and post-plantation care on May 21 and 22 for all stakeholder agencies. Brar also suggested that plantations in educational institutions be made utility-oriented so that the produce can support midday meal schemes wherever feasible.
Police Involvement and Other Directions
Directions were issued to the Chandigarh Police to explore plantation along campus boundaries, including IRB battalion premises and police training institutes. The meeting was attended by the Chief Conservator of Forests, MC Commissioner, senior engineering officials, and representatives of various departments.
