Sacred forest to come up in two acres at GNDU

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 15

The work on a sacred mini-forest of 2,000 trees and bushes on the premises of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) here was inaugurated on Wednesday.

Vice Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu, while addressing those present, said the word ‘development’ should be redefined and all aspects of life, including environment, must be included in it. Baba Sewa Singh of Khadur Sahib, horticulture consultant JS Bilga and other eminent personalities of the university and the city were present at the inaugural function.

“The sacred forest also depicts a message that if forests are not preserved, our coming generations would live in degraded environment and face several health problems,” said Prof Sandhu.

The forest, which has been dedicated to the 550th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev, will have 28% shady trees, 24% fruit trees, 24% flower trees and 24% medicinal plants. It is based on the Japanese ‘Miyawaki’ concept and is being planted in two acres land of the university. The forest is being prepared by Baba Sewa Singh and the Sikh sangat.

Baba Sewa Singh said Nishan-e-Sikhi, Kar Sewa Khadur Sahib, had planted 48 forests at various places and the one being initiated at GNDU would be the 49th forest. He said apart from planting forests, about 700 trees were also being planted on the roadsides in the university.

Bilga said the forest would have native varieties of trees, including trivaini (bohar, peepal and neem), sandalwood, jand, tahli, desi kicker, shahitut, arjun, gullar, dharek, mango, jamun and others.