Landscapist Johl lived with passion till his last breath

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 10

Famous landscapist Hardial Singh Johl breathed his last at his Kishangarh residence here on Sunday. The 90-year-old died after a prolonged illness.

Hardial is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

A passionate golfer and co-author of two books, Hardial continued to live by his passion till his last breath.

“He continued to play golf till 88. He was very active and his love for greens and landscaping was unending. He co-authored two books – Tress in Urban Habitat and Landscaping Human Habitat,” said his son and golfer Ajaipal.

Hardial’s other son, Amandeep Johl, is also a golfer and a certified teacher.

“We all play golf, including my mother (Gurbrinder K Johl),” said Ajaipal.

Hardial worked to create UT’s landscape under MS Randhawa, the first Chief Commissioner of Chandigarh.

He started his career as a landscape designer at Pinjore’s Mughal Gardens and worked in Chandigarh for over two decades before shouldering the responsibility of landscape advisor to the Punjab Urban Development Authority.

In an interview to The Tribune in 2016, Hardial had raised concerns over lack of trees, drainage at lawns and planting potted plants at congested places.

His love for greens was evident from what he said. “Technically there should have been one species of trees, 37 kinds have been planted. The entire city can easily take the shape of a park, only if we have a complete and separate department of horticulture.”

“To develop a drainage system, there’s a need to develop 12-inch layer of bajri, so that the excess water is drained out. Rest, the lawn should contain 70 per cent of coarse sand, 20 per cent of oil and 10 per cent of organic manure,” he had said during the interview.

“Closed apartments or small houses should focus on potted plants, bonsai, and space and size appropriate creepers,” he said.