Walls around Golden Temple to have green cover

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 31

After installing pollution control monitoring system to keep a watch on the Air Quality Index, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has proposed to set up a vertical green belt on the walls of the existing structures inside the Golden Temple complex and outside the main entrance plaza.

The shrine is known for its rarest centuries-old ‘beris’ (jujube trees), but there was negligible scope for greenery inside the complex.

With the marbled entrance plaza outside, the green area was drastically depleted, barring the “galliara” surrounding the shrine.

Keeping in view the space constraints, PPCB Chairman Prof SS Marwaha has offered to set up a vertical garden.

PPCB Chief Engineer GS Majithia said the assistance of Punjab Agricultural University’s horticulture wing was being sought to execute the project.

Sources said the officials pondered over the idea of exploring green cover on the outer walls of structures on the main entrance plaza and the ones along the parikrama.

The SGPC has been asked to identify the walls where this concept could be executed.

“There is negligible greenery inside the complex except for flower pots. Vertical garden will enhance the green cover, making the environment clean and healthy. We will facilitate the SGPC to hold a meeting with PAU experts. Once executed, the aerial view of the portion surrounding the shrine will give a green tinge,” he said.

Nonetheless, this will be in addition to the SGPC’s undergoing project - an exclusive green belt on two acres of land located between Guru Ram Das Jee Langar Hall and Gurdwara Manji Sahib.

Chief Secretary Dr Roop Singh said, “The vertical garden project will be taken up in the executive body. After getting a nod, we intend to start it simultaneously with our green belt project already underway.”

After razing the 26-foot stretch that divides the existing grassy area, a new green belt is being developed with all seasonal floral and herbal plants. Besides, special fountains which will operate in consonance with light and sound effects will be set up.