Chandigarh, July 10:The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria today attended the Cultural Evening organised as part of Van Mahotsav 2026 along with his wife, Smt. Anita Kataria. He said that India's culture and its deep respect for nature have always gone hand in hand, adding that while forests sustain life, culture nurtures values. Describing the environment as the source of everything essential for life, he urged every citizen to actively contribute towards its protection.

The cultural programme featured a Welcome Song, a theme-based skit on environmental conservation, Punjabi, Haryanvi, Kathak and Rajasthani dance performances, and concluded with a Cultural Fusion Dance. All the presentations were centred on the theme of environmental protection, promoting ecological awareness through India's rich cultural heritage.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that Van Mahotsav is not merely a tree plantation campaign but a national movement for safeguarding nature. Stressing that the success of plantation drives depends on the survival of saplings, he urged citizens, especially youth and Eco Clubs, to nurture every planted tree until it matures.

Highlighting Chandigarh's environmental achievements, Shri Kataria said over 72,000 saplings were planted across the city on the first day of Van Mahotsav 2026. He also appreciated the Forest & Wildlife Department's initiative of deploying three mobile plant distribution vehicles to make saplings easily accessible to citizens.

The Governor noted that Chandigarh's sustained environmental efforts have improved air quality, with the city rising from 27th to 8th position in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025 among cities with a population of over one million. Referring to the transformation of Daddu Majra, he described it as a model of environmental restoration achieved through coordinated efforts.

Appreciating the cultural performances, Shri Kataria said that art and culture are powerful mediums for spreading environmental awareness and inspiring public participation. He concluded by thanking the sanitation workers, volunteers, NGOs and all stakeholders whose dedicated efforts transformed the Daddu Majra dumping ground into a symbol of environmental renewal. He also congratulated the Forest & Wildlife Department, Chandigarh Administration, participating departments, institutions and artists for organising the programme.

Present on the occasion were Home Secretary-cum-Secretary, Local Government, Shri Mandip Singh Brar; Chief Conservator of Forests, Shri Saurabh Kumar; Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Shri Amit Kumar; Chairperson, Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, Smt. Sukhminder Kaur Brar; Additional Director, Department of Environment-cum-Conservator of Forests, Shri Anup Kumar Soni; along with artists, environmentalists and senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration.