Forest & Wildlife

The Finance Secretary is Administrative Secretary of Department of Forests & Wildlife and Conservator of Forests & Chief Wild Life Warden is the Head of the Department. Deputy Conservator of Forests is the Head of Office and Drawing & Disbursing Officer. There is one post of Deputy Conservator of Forests and two posts of Sub Divisional Soil Conservation Officers [gazetted], 2 Range Officers, 1 Deputy Ranger, 12 Foresters and 15 Forest Guards. The total strength of the department including Ministerial staff is 50.

Total forest area in U.T.Chandigarh is 3245.30 hectares as shown in the following table :-

The Department is taking up multifarious activities for improving the green cover of U.T. Chandigarh, preserving and protecting the Wildlife, creating awareness among the people of Chandigarh about the protection of flora and fauna & preservation & restoration of bio-diversity. To increase green cover in U.T. Chandigarh, “Annual Greening Chandigarh Action Plan” is being prepared and released for implementation by all greening departments.

Green Cover of UT, Chandigarh

As per the India State of Forest Report-2009 Forests cover in UT, Chandigarh is 43 sq.km. and 11 sq. km. is under tree cover. Thus, the total green cover (Forest cover + Tree cover) of UT, Chandigarh is 54 sq.km. which forms 38.5% of its total geographical area. As per State of Forest Report-2005 the forest and tree cover was 41 and 9 sq.km. respectively making the green cover 50 sq.km. which is 35.7% of the total geographical area. Thus, there is net increase of 4.0 sq.km (3.0%) in the green cover of UT, Chandigarh

The Schemes of the department and their objectives are as under:-

Forest Conservation & Development

The main objective of this scheme is to reduce the silt inflow to Sukhna lake by carrying out various kinds of soil conservation works. The works like construction of silt retension dams, masonry check dams, spurs/revetments, desiltation of dams, construction of grade stabilizers, planting of live-hedge and opening of choe bed etc. are being undertaken under this scheme. 193 water bodies have already been created in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary under this scheme.

Plantation Scheme

The main objective of this scheme is to provide a carpet of vegetation in open patches/hill tops to reduce soil erosion by planting/sowing of seeds. Plants raised in the newly acquired land as well as the southern Sectors are also being maintained. The works like plantation, patch-sowing & installation of tree guards etc. are being undertaken under this scheme.

Greening of City Beautiful

The main objective of this scheme is to raise plantation in and around city to provide pollution free environment to the people of the city beautiful. Mixed plantations raised in southern sectors along Vikas Marg are also being maintained under this scheme. Seedlings are being supplied to the institutions/ NGO’s & public free of cost from following Nurseries :-

• Hallomajra Nursery on Ambala –Chandigarh National Highway
• Nursery at Forest Rest House in front of Railway Station
• Kishangarh Nursery at Kishangarh village.
• Forest Nursery in Patiala-ki-Rao Forests (behind Panjab University)
• Forest Nursery near Boat Club

Saplings are distributed during all working days between 9 AM to 5 PM.

Chain link fencing are being provided around forest area to avoid encroachment. The works like plantation in lake & Patiala-ki-Rao forest & Sukhna choe forests, chain link fencing, removal of lantana-parthenium in forest area & environmental upgradation of sukhna choe etc. are being undertaken. Apart from maintaining Lake reserve forest, Sukhna choe reserve forest and Patiala-ki-Rao forests, department is maintaining plantations over 100 hactares of land in southern sectors & brick kiln area .

Communication and Building

The main aim of the scheme is to provide easy access to forest area for the effective control on forest and maintenance works etc and to maintain the staff quarters and Rest house/Inspection hut, jeepable roads and causeway etc.

Preservation of Wildlife

The main aim of this scheme is to protect, preserve and propagate the wildlife of the area by creating & improving natural habitats and promoting water facilities by constructing water holes, provision of salt licks etc. In addition to this, the department is maintaining two animal rescue centres in Nepli and Kansal area. Animals are treated here and being released in the sanctuary area. To increase mobility of the staff and for effective implementation of the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972, communication network has been developed. The works like raising of water holes, suppression of lantana/ pathenium etc. are being undertaken. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is free from the menace of lantana. Permits are being issued on first come first basis to the nature lovers to visit ‘Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary’ for all days of the week except the day of ‘Diwali’ & ‘Holi’ on the following conditions :-

• No shooting, hunting & teasing of wild animals will be carried out.
• Carrying of Arms/ammunition is prohibited.
• No damage to flora will be carried out.
• Complete cleanliness will be ensured in the Sanctuary including Inspection Huts/Rest Houses and its surrounding grassy lawns.
• No Loudspeaker/ Music system is allowed.
• Carrying of plastic bags and containers inside the Sanctuary is prohibited.
• Cooking food or lighting fire is strictly prohibited.
• Parking fee for Buses in the Sanctuary shall be deposited in this office.

The permit holder may be allowed to carry following items with them :-

• Camera,
• Binoculars,
• Umbrella,
• Stick,
• Prepared food/eatables,
• Water bottle.
• First aid box
• Simple playing equipment.

The Parking fee to be charged is as follows :-

• Parking fee is levied @ Rs.50/- per school bus and
• Rs.200/- per private bus.

Timings: The Sanctuary remains open from sunrise to sunset.

Establishment of Botanical Garden

Chandigarh Administration has established a Botanical Garden near village Sarangpur, Lahora and Dhanas. The total land acquired for the establishment of Botanical Garden is 176 acres. The works like raising & maintenance of nursery, raising of plantations (new), raising of shrubs, creation of lawns, land leveling, construction of check dams etc. has been undertaken. The following Sections have been developed in the Botanical Garden and other features to promote eco-tourism.

• Medicinal Plants Section
• Bambusetum
• Ficus grove
• Palmatum
• Pinetum
• Ornamental plants
• Arboretum
• Sacred grove
• Nutrition garden
• Orchidarium
• Cactus & Succulent
• Aquatic Plant
• Rare Plants
• Tropical Rain forest
• Bulbous garden & Japanese garden

This Botanical Garden has been opened for public on 2nd January, 2007.

Instructions/Advice to be followed by the public

• To inform the Department about the entry of wild animals like Sambar, Blue bull, Pangolin etc. in urban area. People are advised not to try to catch wild animals on their own as the animal may hurt them in self defence.
• To inform the Department about monkeys creating problem in the city. Residents are requested to follow the directions issued by the Department to minimize/ reduce human-monkey conflict. People’s cooperation for catching the problematic monkey is solicited by the department.
• In case of snake problem particularly in rainy season, ‘Snake Cell (Capt.Suresh)’ may be contacted for assistance at phone No.0172-2556013 (Mobile-9888380386).
• Whenever any person is found selling wildlife articles, information may be given to the office of Conservator of Forests & Chief Wild Life Warden to take further necessary action under rules.
• For illegal felling/removal of trees in city area, Executive Engineer (Horticulture) of Engineering Deptt., Chandigarh Administration/ Executive Engineer (Horticulture), Municipal Corporation may be informed for further necessary action.
• Concerned horticulture staff will lodge the complaint in Police against the offender.
• For obtaining necessary permission for felling of trees in the city/urban area, citizens are requested to approach the concerned Executive Engineer (Horticulture).

How to deal with Monkeys

• Do not make direct eye contact with monkeys.
• Do not cross the path between a mother and her infant.
• Do not irritate or tease the monkeys. Leave them alone and they will leave you alone.
• Be light footed while passing through a monkey group i.e. Do not run.
• Do not go near a dead or wounded monkey.
• Do not feed monkeys near your house.
• In case a monkey collides with your transport (two wheelers specially), do not stop there.
• Do not get scared if a monkey makes a ‘Kho-Kho’ noise as normally it is a bluff. Ignore the monkey and walk away calmly.
• Do not ever hit any monkey. Keep hitting the ground with a big bamboo stick to make monkeys leave your house or garden.
• Presence of big dogs in premises shall make monkeys leave the area.
• Monkeys are scared of snakes. Keep real looking plastic snakes at roof tops or boundary wall of your house.
• Loud heavy noise, bursting of crackers or their sound track will force the monkeys to leave any premises.
• An injured monkey should be helped when monkey group is not close by. Cover the injured monkey with a net and take it to People for Animals [P.F.A.] or S.P.C.A. or any organization caring for sick animals.
• If a monkey tries to touch you, gently put an object or board firmly between you & monkey.

Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary at a glance

Greening Chandigarh Action Plan 2010-11

Chandigarh Botanical Garden & Nature Park

Booklet on 'Herbs for Everyone'