BIODIVERSITY PARK COMES UP IN KAPURTHALA

KAPURTHALA: In an environmentfriendly move, the state government has developed a Biodiversity Park here named after Guru Nanak to commemorate his 550th birth anniversary.

The purpose of the park is to create a healthy ecosystem and to provide conservational, educational and recreational benefits to the state. It is slated to be the only park which will boast 150 species of flora on 7 acres in Kapurthala city.

The park, situated in the Bir Shikargarh forest, which is 10.93 sq km has been named as Guru Nanak Biodiversity Park and Conservation Forest. The forest department which is looking after the project began work on it in April this year on a budget of ₹2.9 crore.

“This Biodiversity park, which will be the first of its kind, will boast several species of flora. It will boost the ecosystem and will give educational and recreational benefits to people,” divisional forest officer Raj Gulati said. Around 80% of the project has been completed, he said. Around 20 species of grass were also planted as an early measure to ameliorate the quality of the soil. Officials said that before initiating work in April, mounds of different shapes, sizes and heights were created.

These include the native section which will have 56 local species such as Mahua, Jamun, Dek, Ashoka, Litchi, Aru, Guava, Falsa and more; the herbal section which boasts 20 medical species such as Cinnamon, Citrus Limelta, Piper Nigrum and others; the flowering section has 20 kinds of flowers like Mini Chandini, Spider, Kali Grass, Fern and others; Ficus section has 10 species; the bamboo section has 10 varieties.

GURU NANAK BAGICHI WITH JAPANESE TECHNIQUE

A special Nanak Bagichi dedicated to Guru Nanak has been developed over 550-sq mt with Akira Miyawaki–a Japanese technique. A total of 44 types of flowers and plants including Arjan, Bahera, Simble, Bohar, Pilkan, Kikker, Gular, Neem, Jhand, Beri and others will be planted here.