Let trees breathe: Chandigarh municipal chief tells officials

CHANDIGARH: Municipal Commissioner KK Yadav on Monday issued directions to all the executive engineers to provide breathing space to trees in the city by June 30, 2019.
The Commissioner called a meeting of all concerned executive engineers in the evening to discuss the implementation of Urban Green Guidelines, 2014. During the meeting, the executive engineers of roads division and horticulture division apprised that 70 per cent of trees have been provided sufficient breathing space and remaining will be completed by June 30.
The commissioner said that investing in green spaces can help transform the city into a more sustainable, resilient, healthy, equitable and pleasant place to live.He said that if planned and managed well, Chandigarh could be a great place to live, but many urban developments cause environmental havoc-ultimately leading to problems such as high temperatures, flooding and air pollution. The cost for citizens is deteriorating well-being. Well managed forests and trees in and around the city provide habitats, food and protection for many plants and animals, helping to maintain and increase biodiversity, he added.
He directed the engineers to follow urban green guidelines for strengthening urban greens especially by planting the right kind of trees at right locations or places. He said that while selecting tree species, the specified criteria would be taken into account.
The commissioner said that planting of trees along roads may be in such a manner, including avenue planting, group planting, mixed planting and informal planting of species having long life should be preferred. Keeping in view the spacing of avenue trees and type of trees all the govt institutions and private organizations will have to consult horticulture division.
He also instructed to plant trees having sufficient heights for plantation on roadsides. He said that perforated pavers be used wherever possible for proper water recharge and to enhance green space. He instructed the engineers to strictly implement green guidelines.
Commissioner asked the engineers to implement aerobic composting in all the green belts and parks of the city. He said that by June 2020 all the horticulture waste will be made compost through the scientific method and aerobic composting. He said that the civic body’s challenge was to strategically expand the urban forest and provide citizens with healthier, happier and enriched lives.