PANCHKULA: A city forest to be called “Oxi Van” will be developed in 100 acres of land falling between the Ghaggar river and sectors 23 and 24 in association with a public sector enterprise associated with the Central government and forest department of Haryana.
The administration and forest department officials said the project is being prepared on the directives of the central government for all states and districts to prepare one “Oxi Van” in each city.
A presentation on the plan was shown to Haryana assembly speaker Gian Chand Gupta in his office recently by WAPCOS associated with the ministry of water resources, the firm which prepared its leaf theme-based design.
Amit Gupta, senior general manager, WAPCOS, said the project would be made along the Ghaggar and share its border with sectors 23 and 24. “Many innovative experiments are being done here to connect the forest wealth with the faith of the people, and it will provide all information related to forests,” Gupta added.
Three gardens — “Rashi Vatika”, “Nakshtra Vatika” and “Sugandh Vatika” — will be the main attraction of this entire project. Gupta said to raise public awareness, an information centre, a library, a museum and a souvenir shop would be established . “All these buildings will be seen as big leaves from the sky,” said Gupta.
Gian Chand Gupta directed WAPCOS, administration and forest department officials to speed up the work and complete it within the best time possible.
Gupta said “This Oxi Van will consume all the heat of Panchkula and give fresh oxygen in its nearby area.”
Principal chief conservator of forests Virbhan Tanwar, additional chief conservator of forests Suresh Dalal, Forest department secretary Dr T P Singh, chief conservator of forests M L Rajvanshi, Panchkula DC Vinay Pratap Singh, Huda administrator Jagdish Sharma and MC commissioner Dharamvir Singh, were among other officials present during a meeting.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Space | 100 acre
Attractions | Rashi Vatika, Nakshtra Vatika and Sugandh Vatika
Aerial leaf theme-based information centre, library, museum and souvenir shop
Lotus pond and maze
