TNNChandigarh: Setting a target of over 4.1 lakh plantations for 2026-27, the UT administration has decided to prioritise survival rate and gap-filling across the city, with focus on roadside and open-space greening.At a review of the plantation plan Thursday, home secretary-cum-forest secretary Mandip Singh Brar directed departments to shift focus from quantity to quality of plantations and ensure saturation of gaps to achieve full green coverage.He asked the municipal corporation and engineering department to prioritise gap plantation, particularly along roadsides and open spaces, in line with the administrator’s directions. Brar stressed that efforts must be made to maintain and further improve sapling survival rates.The administration has fixed a target of 4,10,725 plantations and sapling distributions for 2026-27. Officials informed that the city exceeded its previous year’s target, achieving 6,64,133 plantations against a target of 5,76,221, with an average survival rate of 79%.To improve outcomes, the forest department will organise a two-day training programme on plantation techniques and post-plantation care on May 21 and 22 for all stakeholder agencies.Brar also suggested that plantations in educational institutions be made utility-oriented so that produce can support midday meal schemes wherever feasible.Directions were issued to Chandigarh Police to explore plantation along campus boundaries, including IRB battalion premises and police training institutes.The meeting was attended by the chief conservator of forests, MC commissioner, senior engineering officials and representatives of various departments.
