With 38 per cent of its geographical area under green cover, Chandigarh has claimed the greenest city title in the country. In an interview with Hemant Singh, Chandigarh Conservator of Forests-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden Santosh Kumar explains how the Union Territory achieved the feat and set an example for others to follow.


Excerpts:
What won Chandigarh the Forest Ministry’s Indira Priyadarshani Paryawaran Award?
The city’s remarkable achievement in expanding its green cover over a period of five years was major reason for winning the award. The city registered a net increase of 4 sq km green cover and it was a great achievement. The figures speak for themselves. As per the India State of Forest Report-2009 Chandigarh’s forest cover is 43 sq km and 11 sq km is under tree cover. Thus, the total green cover is 54 sq km, which forms 38.5% of its total geographical area. In the State of Forest Report-2005, the forest and tree covers were 41 and 9 sq km, respectively, making the green cover 50 sq km. which is 35.7% of the total geographical area. This figure outclasses other city in India.........Click for more

Source Web Page: igovernent.in