A green tinge to Golden Temple

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 23

A green belt at Golden Temple is turning into a reality. Though the shrine is known for its rarest four-century-old ‘beris’ (jujube) trees — Dukhbhanjani Beri, Ber Baba Budha Sahib and Lachi Ber — the green area is being envisaged as a place where devotees can sit and relax.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal-led executive body had proposed a green belt and the work was awarded to Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale.

Two acres between Guru Ram Dass Jee Langar Hall and Gurdwara Manji Sahib has been demarcated for the purpose. There is this green area having two parks. The idea is to construct one park with the essence of seasonal flowers and herbal plants.

The services of GNDU’s landscaping and floriculture expert Dr Jaswinder Singh Bilga are being taken.

“Our focus is to plant herbaceous varieties which grow fast and produce flowers and many seeds in a short span,” said officials.

Experts from Ahmedabad-based landscaping company visited the site. After observing the Golden Temple’s ambience, the experts submitted a few plans for the project. A blueprint was shown to SGPC chief secretary Dr Roop Singh, secretary Manjit Singh Batth, Dr Bilga and Avtar Singh Sampla.

Dr Bilga said: “This proposal is good. The 26-ft wide concrete stretch that divides the two parks will be razed. Then, some rare uniquely coloured flowers and saplings will be planted. Special lights, too, will be installed,” he said.

SGPC spokesperson and Additional secretary Diljit Singh said a few designs had been shortlisted, which would be shown to the SGPC president. The final decision would be taken by the executive body.