‘Trees of Chandigarh’, by Prof. Wattas

Purnoor, Chandigarh June 21, 2019

            The Department of Botany and Department of Environment Studies organized events on the theme of ‘Biodiversity and Healthy Environment’ at Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh. The events consisted of an Invited Lecture on ‘Trees of Chandigarh’ which was delivered by Prof. Rajnish Wattas, Former Principal, Chandigarh College of Architecture. The speaker enthralled the audience about the birth and evolution of the Garden City of Chandigarh highlighting that a major impetus was given to the landscaping of the city along with the designing and planning of the buildings. The city was organised in a geometrical pattern which was defined by the different types of trees in addition to the building architecture. He also highlight that a special Landscaping Task Force was in force from the very beginning led by Prof. M. S. Randhawa. The allocating of different types of trees depending upon their colours and fruits to various sectors was the brainchild of Prof M. S. Randhawa. The speaker highlight that the green belt made Chandigarh the oxygen capital and it was our duty to preserve this tree wealth for posterity.

A Photo-Fest was also organized during the celebrations and was inaugurated by Prof S. S. Chahal, Honorary Professor, P.U. and ex-Vice Chancellor, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan. More than a hundred photographs highlighting the various colours and hues of biodiversity were exhibited. A special section on the threats to biodiversity was also included. The event received immense support and participation from the faculty, students and enthusiasts.