Forests & Wildlife Deptt and Yuvsatta organize ‘Palash Day Celebrations’

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 24^th July:- Department of Forests & Wildlife, Chandigarh Administration in collaboration with Yuvsatta organized ‘Palash Day Celebrations’ at City Forest Nagar Van, behind Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh today. Anurag Agarwal, Home Secretary-cum-Secretary (Forests), Chandigarh Administration was the Chief Guest on the occasion. 150 students of Delhi Public School Sector 40, Government Girls Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 18C and Government Model Sr. Sec. School Sec.33D, Chandigarh participated in this event.

Santosh Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chandigarh Administration shared that Chandigarh's state flower  'Dhak', is considered to be native to the city, but is now rarely seen here, but this is going to change now as they have made elaborate plans to promote its plantation. In the 100 acre area of City Forest, 400 saplings of a special ‘Palash Flower Zone’ have been plantated by young students. Forests Department is preparing to plant more saplings soon in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary area and other forest area.  Anurag Agarwal, further advocated that from now onwards to further promote Palash as State Flower of Chandigarh, July 24^th every year will be celebrated as ‘Palash Day’.

Appreciating the efforts of Forests & Wildlife Department and involvement of young students to preserve the greenery in the city for present and posterity,  Anurag Agarwal said that such nature grooves are most important in urban cities like Chandigarh as if you spend time in nature, you've probably noticed that you feel happier out there than in here. We need it for our psychological well-being because it's in our DNA, as nature displays incredible diversity in all her glory. And it’s imperative that we all preserve and promote the green forests around us.

On the occasion volunteers recited anecdotes and poems on benefits of living in harmony with man and nature. The event gave a chance to the participants to spend some time in nature and learn about a beautiful ‘City Forest’ coming up behind the Sukhna Lake area.

Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included   PJS Dadhwal, Deputy Conservator of Forests (HQ/WL)-cum-Member Secretary, Chandigarh State Pollution Control Board, Pramod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta, Manu Vohra of Chandigarh Tree Lovers and Kulbhushan Kanwar- Environmentalist.