Chandigarh, May 14: Shri Mandip Singh Brar, Home Secretary-cum-Secretary Forest, Chandigarh Administration, chaired a comprehensive review meeting regarding the Plantation Plan for the year 2026–27 at the UT Secretariat today.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Conservator of Forests, Chief Engineers of the Municipal Corporation and Engineering Department, Director School Education, and senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration and Central Government offices.

During the meeting, the Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the targets and achievements of the plantation drive for 2025–26, including the survival percentage of saplings planted across departments and agencies. It was informed that Chandigarh achieved a total plantation and sapling distribution of 6,64,133 during the previous year against the target of 5,76,221. For the year 2026–27, a target of 4,10,725 plantations and sapling distributions has been fixed.

This year also the primary focus of the Forest Department would remain on the quality of plantation rather than quantity. Department will organize a two-day training programme on plantation techniques and post-plantation care on 21st and 22nd May for all stakeholder departments and agencies.

While appreciating the efforts of all greening agencies and survival percentage of 79% achieved by various departments, Shri Mandip Singh Brar stressed that every effort must be made to maintain and further improve the survival rate of planted saplings.

The Secretary directed that this year’s plantation drive should primarily focus on gap plantation, particularly by the Municipal Corporation and Engineering Department. He emphasized that roadsides and open spaces must be comprehensively covered through plantation activities, in line with the vision and directions of the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh. He directed that all plantation gaps across the city should be saturated to achieve 100% coverage.

He further suggested that plantation in educational institutions should be utility-oriented so that the produce can also be utilized for mid-day meals wherever feasible. Directions were also issued to the Chandigarh Police to explore undertaking plantation activities along the boundaries of various campuses, including IRB Battalion premises and police training institutes.