Chandigarh, May 21, 2026:Sh. H. Rajesh Prasad, Chief Secretary, UT Chandigarh, right this moment reviewed the standing of ongoing tasks and schemes being carried out by the Forest Department, Department of Environment, Department of Science & Technology & Renewable Energy (DST&RE), and the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC). The evaluation assembly was attended by Sh. Mandip Singh Brar, Secretary Forest; Sh. Saurabh Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden; Mr. Anup Kumar Soni, Conservator of Forests-cum-Addl. Director Environment; Sh. Nitish Singla, Director Science & Technology & Renewable Energy, together with different senior officers.
During the assembly, the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) gave an in depth presentation on the forest and tree cowl of Chandigarh and highlighted numerous initiatives being undertaken for the scientific administration of forests and built-in improvement of wildlife habitats.
The Chief Secretary was knowledgeable that in opposition to the plantation goal of 5,76,221 saplings below the Greening Chandigarh Action Plan 2025-26, a complete of 6,64,133 saplings had been planted by numerous greening businesses and stakeholders, attaining an total survival fee of round 79 per cent as much as March 2026. The assembly was additionally apprised about key initiatives being undertaken by the division, together with the Wildlife Survey in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Fish Diversity Study and the Wetland Mitras Programme.
Sh. Mandip Singh Brar, Secretary Forest, knowledgeable that the Plantation Plan for 2026-27 is within the remaining stage of preparation and that the division is specializing in high quality plantation relatively than amount. He said that the plantation goal for the present 12 months has been mounted at 4,10,725 saplings, together with distribution.
He additional knowledgeable that the division can also be engaged on a undertaking for the event of a City Forest within the Sukhna Choe forest space. The undertaking goals to advertise conservation and ecological consciousness, sustainable eco-tourism, consciousness era, training and capability constructing, moreover encouraging behavioural and experiential studying outcomes. The imaginative and prescient of the undertaking is to create larger public consciousness relating to the safety and conservation of forests, wildlife and the atmosphere via nature-based studying alternatives, whereas selling eco-tourism in an ecologically sustainable and economically viable method.
Reviewing the initiatives, the Chief Secretary directed the division to make sure scientific administration and enough safety of forests. He emphasised that plantation actions must be undertaken solely after cautious evaluation of site-specific necessities and appropriate species must be planted and correctly maintained for higher progress and survival. He additionally directed that the preparation of the Working Plan for scientific forest administration be expedited. In city areas, he careworn the necessity to promote plantation of appropriate vibrant shrubs for enhancing the town’s panorama.
Sh. Nitish Singla, Director Science & Technology & Renewable Energy, additionally made a presentation on numerous schemes being carried out by DST&RE, together with Research & Development Support to Research Institutions, Popularization of Science, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and the Electric Vehicle Policy.
The Chief Secretary emphasised that the Research & Development Scheme ought to deal with selling innovation, strengthening scientific analysis and guaranteeing tangible outcomes with wider societal influence. He additional noticed that the Popularization of Science programme could also be expanded and built-in with Eco-Club actions. He directed that every one ongoing tasks below the division must be accomplished inside a interval of three months.