Chandigarh: The municipal corporation, in collaboration with the forest department of the Chandigarh administration, Friday launched a plantation drive at the Dadumajra legacy waste dumping site as part of efforts to transform the reclaimed area into a green zone.Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria inaugurated the drive on around eight acres of identified land, where the MC and forest department plan to plant 10,000 to 12,000 trees and flowering shrubs. The plantation will cover the periphery of the dumping site, adjoining residential areas, stretches along the Patiala Ki Rao choe, and roadside areas bordering the national highway and Dakshin Marg.Addressing the gathering, Kataria described the conversion of the former dumpsite into a green plantation zone as an example of scientific planning and sustained environmental efforts. He said the project demonstrated how degraded land could be transformed into a valuable green asset for future generations.Emphasising the importance of long-term outcomes, the administrator said the success of plantation drives should be measured by the survival rate of saplings rather than the number planted. He called for scientific plantation methods, regular monitoring and sustained maintenance.Kataria planted a camphor sapling to formally launch the drive and also released the department of forests and wildlife’s Greening Chandigarh Action Plan booklet. He flagged off three vehicles under the Van Vibhag Aapke Dwar initiative for sapling distribution among residents and 11 vehicles deployed under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), including water sprinklers, jetting machines and other equipment aimed at improving air quality.Chief conservator of forests Saurabh Kumar briefed attendees on the Van Mahotsav programme and the plantation schedule planned across Chandigarh this year.In his vote of thanks, municipal commissioner Amit Kumar said the reclaimed area would be developed under the theme ‘Swachh Harit Prangan’, featuring scientifically planned plantations, landscaped green spaces and eco-friendly infrastructure to create a model urban environmental destination.Box: Green buffer planned on 8 acresUnder the plantation plan, ornamental and fragrant shrubs such as hibiscus, tecoma, hamelia patens, raat ki rani, chandni and calliandra will be planted at the site. The tree component will include bamboo, camphor, peepal, pilkhan and ficus benjamina.Officials said the plantation will create a green ecological buffer across eight acres, helping improve air quality, reduce pollution and enhance the living environment in surrounding residential areas.
