Chandigarh
Botanical Garden & Nature Park
Background
Chandigarh,
the ‘City Beautiful’ situated in the foothirlls
of Shivaliks is blessed with a climate that is suitable to
accommodate number of species of flora of different climatic
regions. It is worthwhile setting up a Botanical Garden here
with a purpose to conserve the flora of the region as well
as those exotic and near extinct species. With this background,
Chandigarh Administration has established a Botanical Garden
near village Sarangpur. This garden spreads over 176 acres
of land.
The foundation stone was laid on 30th May, 2002 by Lt. Gen.
(Retd.) J.F.R. Jacob, the then Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh.
This garden has been connected with the nature reserve known
as Patiala-ki-Rao forest through a causeway. Patiala-ki-Rao
forest spreads over 350 acres of land. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. S. F. Rodrigues,
the then Governor of Punjab & Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, the
champion of the cause of environment and keen nature lover,
guided the project through his constant inspiration and guidance.
H.E. inaugurated the garden on 2nd January, 2007. This garden
when fully developed would be one of the biggest in this region.
The
garden consists of 15 Botanical Sections. The primary aim
of setting up of Botanical Garden is to promote research,
education, ex-situ conservation and to spread awareness about
our floral heritage. In addition, the garden would help promote
eco-tourism in Chandigarh. Various sections in the Garden
are:-
Medicinal Plants Garden: Medicinal Plants Garden/
Herbal Garden has been developed over 40 acres of land. More
than 75 species of medicinal trees and 55 species of medicinal
shrubs, herbs & climbers have already been planted in
this section. Tree species like Harar, Bahera, Amla, Neem,
Arjun, Maulsari, Bael, Kathal, Sandalwood, Kachnar, Camphor,
Lasura, Goolar, Rudraksha, Jamun, Sita Ashok, Guggul, Putranjeeva
etc. have been planted alongwith about 55 varieties of medicinal
herbs like Giloy, Akarkara, Gokhru, Ghritkumari, Ashwagandha,
Sarpagandha, Tulsi, Mehndi, Kalmegh, Bhringraj, Mandukapami,
Brahmi, Bansa, Vacha etc. The list of medicinal trees, shrubs,
herbs and climbers is following :-
Medicinal Trees planted in Chandigarh Botanical Garden
(Medicinal Plants Section)
Medicinal Trees
Botanical name |
Common name |
Acacia catechu |
Khair |
Hadina cordifolia |
Haldu |
Aegle marmelos |
Bel |
Albizia lebbeck |
Siris |
Alstonia scholaris |
Saptaparni |
Artocarpus heterophyllus |
Kathal |
Artocarpus chaplasha |
Barhal |
Artocarpus lacucha |
Dheu |
Artabotrys odoratissimus |
Hari Champa |
Annona squamosa |
Sitaphal |
Anogeissus latifolia |
Chhal |
Anogeissus pendula |
Dhoy |
Anthocephalus cadamba |
Kadamb |
Azadirachta indica |
Neem |
Bauhinia variegata |
Kachnar |
Boswellia serrata |
Salai |
Bombax ceiba |
Red Silk Cotton Tree |
Butea frondosa |
Dhak, Palash |
Cassia fistula |
Amaltas |
Casearia tomentosa |
Chilla |
Cedrela toona |
Toon |
Cinnamomum camphora |
Camphor Tree |
Cinnamomum tamala |
Tejpatta |
Cordia dichotoma |
Lasora |
Cocculus laurifolius |
Tilpara |
Commiphora wightii |
Guggul |
Crateva adansonii |
Barna |
Dalbergia sissoo |
Shisham |
Diospyros montana |
Kendu |
Elaeocarpus ganitrus |
Rudraksha |
Emblica officinalis |
Amla |
Erythrina variegata |
Indian Coral Tree |
Eugenia cuspidate |
Jamoa |
Ficus bengalensis |
Banyan Tree |
Ficus religiosa |
Pipal |
Ficus glomerata |
Goolar |
Garcinia indica |
Kokum |
Ginkgo biloba |
Ginkgo Tree |
Gmelina arborea |
Gamhar |
Grewia asiatica |
Phalsa |
Holarrhena antidysenterica |
Kurchi |
Kigelia pinnata |
Balamkhira |
Lannea coromandelica |
Jhingini |
Madhuca indica |
Mahua |
Mangifera indica |
Mango |
Mesua ferrea |
Nagkesar |
Melia azedarach |
Bakain |
Mimusops elengi |
Maulsiri |
Mimusops hexandra |
Khirni |
Moringa oleifera |
Sohanjana |
Morus alba |
Shahtoot |
Murraya koenigii |
Curry patta |
Oroxylum indicum |
Pharrai |
Pterospermum acerifolium |
Kanak Champa |
Pithecellobium dulce |
Jungli Jalebi |
Pongamia pinnata |
Karanj |
Prosopis spicigera |
Khejri |
Psidium guajava |
Amrood |
Putranjiva roxburghii |
Putranjiva |
Salvadora persica |
Pilu |
Saraca indica |
Ashoka |
Salix babylonica(water front) |
Weeping Willow |
Santalum album |
Sandalwood |
Sapindus mukorossi |
Ritha |
Schleichera oleosa |
Kusum |
Shorea robusta |
Sal |
Sterculia urens |
Kulu, Kurdu |
Swietenia mahagoni |
Mahogany |
Syzygium cumini |
Jamun |
Taxus baccata |
Taxus |
Tecomella undulata |
Rohida Tree |
Tamarindus indica |
Imli |
Terminalia bellirica |
Bahera |
Terminalia chebula |
Harad |
Terminalia elliptica |
Asan |
Terminalia Arjuna |
Arjun |
Terminalia myriocarpa |
Hollock |
Medicinal Shrubs
Botanical name |
Common name |
Abrus precatorius |
Ratti |
Abutilon indicum |
Kanghi |
Acorus calamus |
Vacha |
Achyranthes aspera |
Apamarga |
Adhatoda vasica |
Vasaka |
Aloe barbedensis |
Ghrit Kumari |
Asparagus racemosus |
Satavari |
Andrographis paniculata |
Kalmegh |
Bacopa monnieri |
Brahmi |
Barleria prionites |
Kala Bansa |
Barleria lupulina |
snake Bush |
Boerhavia diffusa |
Punarnava |
Cassia angustifolia |
Senna |
Calotropis procera |
Aak |
Calotropis gigantea |
Safed Aak |
Catharanthus roseus |
Sadabahar |
Carissa congesta |
Karonda |
Cassia tora |
Panwar |
Centella asiatica |
Manduparni |
Clitoria ternatea |
Aparajita |
Coleus barbatus |
Patharchat |
Curcuma longa |
Haldi |
Cymbopogon citrates |
Lemon Grass |
Cymbopogon nanus |
Citronela |
Datura metel |
Safed Dhatura |
Datura alba |
Dhatura |
Eclipta alba |
Bhringaraj |
Zingiber officinale |
Adrak |
Geranium wallichianum |
Lal Jari, Ratanjot |
Glycyrrhiza glabra |
Mulathi |
Gymnema sylvestre |
Gurmar |
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis |
Gurhal |
Iberis amara |
Chandni |
Jasminum grandiflorum |
Chameli |
Justicia gendarussa |
Nili Nargandi, Kala Bashimb |
Lawsonia inermis |
Mehendi |
Mentha x piperita |
Vilayati Pudina, Peppermint |
Mimosa pudica |
Lajwanti |
Mucuna pruriens |
Kiwach |
Nerium oleander |
Kaner |
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis |
Harshringar |
Ocimum basilicum |
Kali Tulsi |
Ocimum gratissimum |
Ram Tulsi |
Ocimum kilimandscharicum |
Kapur Tulsi |
Ocimum sanctum |
Tulsi |
Piper longum |
Pippali |
Phyllanthus niruri |
Bhui Amla |
Plumbago zeylanica |
Chitrak |
Rauwolfia serpentina |
Sarpagandha |
Ricinus communis |
Arandi |
Sida cordifolia |
Mahabala |
Solanum xanthocarpum |
Kantakari |
Spilanthes acmella |
Akarkar |
Thevetia neriifolia |
Pili Kaner |
Tephrosia purpurea |
Sharpunkha |
Thuja compacta |
Mayur Pankh |
Tinospora cordifolia |
Giloy |
Tribulus terrestris |
Gokharu |
Tylophora indica |
Anatamul |
Vetiver |
Khus |
Vitex negundo |
Nirgundi |
Withania Somnifera |
Ashwagandha |
Woodfordia fruticosa |
Dhawai |
Bambusetum:
22 species of bamboos and 3 species of canes have been planted
along two seasonal nallahs passing through the Botanical Garden.
A few fern species have, however, been included and planted
in shade.
Ficus Grove: 18 species of Ficus have been planted
in this section. Adequate space has been left to include more
species in future. The list of species is following :-
List of Ficus species planted in Botanical Garden [Ficus
Grove Section]
Botanical name |
Common name |
Ficus religiosa |
Peepal |
Ficus infectoria |
Pilkhan |
Ficus krishnae |
Krishna Badh |
Ficus glomerata |
Goolar |
Ficus retusa |
Chilkan, Kamarup |
Ficus benjamina |
Weeping Fig |
Ficus nuda |
Benjamina |
Ficus elastica (ordinary) |
Rubber Tree |
Ficus elastica (Black prince) |
Rubber Bush |
Ficus panda |
Ficus Panda |
Ficus palmata |
Anjiri |
Ficus variegated |
Red-Stem Fig |
Ficus lyrata |
Fiddle Leaf Tree |
Ficus mysorensis |
Mysore Fig Tree |
Bur variegated |
|
Ficus sterlight |
|
Ficus tseila |
|
Arboretum: This section consists of more than 90
species of different kinds of trees. About 70 more species
of trees could be included in this section in future.
Tree species planted in Arboretum
Botanical name |
Common name |
Acacia tortilis |
Vilayati Kikar |
Acrocarpus fraxinifolius |
Pink Cedar |
Haldina cordifolia |
Haldu |
Aegle marmelos |
Bel |
Aesculus indica |
Indian Horse Chestnut |
Ailanthus excelsa |
Mahanimb (tree of heaven) |
Alnus nepalensis |
Utis, Indian Alder |
Alstonia scholaris |
Devil tree |
Annona squamosa |
Sitaphal or Sharifa |
Anthocephalus cadamba |
Kadamb |
Artocarpus lakoocha |
Deophal or Lakooch |
Artocarpus heterophyllus |
Kathal |
Ashok pendula |
Ashok |
Ashok serpantina |
Ashok |
Azadirachta indica |
Neem |
Betula alnoides |
Indian Birch |
Bischofia javanica |
Paniala, Kein, Kanji |
Bombax ceiba |
Semal |
Boswellia serrata |
Salai |
Canarium resiniferum |
Dhuna |
Cedrela toona |
Tun |
Celtis australis |
Honeyberry |
Chukrasia tabularis |
Chukrasia |
Cordia dichotoma |
Lasora |
Couroupita guianensis |
Cannon Ball Tree |
Dalbergia latifolia |
Indian Rosewood |
Desmodium tilifolium |
Tick Clover |
Diospyros embryopteris |
Ghab |
Diospyros montana |
Bistendu, Kendu |
Dillenia indica |
Chalta |
Dipterocarpus macrocarpus |
Hollong |
Elaeocarpus ganitrus |
Rudraksha |
Erythrina indica |
Indian Coral TREE |
Eugenia cuspidata |
Jamoa |
Ficus cunia |
Khunia |
Gmelina arborea |
Gamhar |
Grevillea robusta |
Silver Oak |
Hardwickia binata |
Anjan |
Haplophragma adenophyllum |
Marodphali |
Holoptelea integrifolia |
Pahari Papri |
Jatropha gossypiifolia |
Lal Bherenda |
Kigelia pinnata |
Balam Khira |
Lannea coromandelica |
Jhingini |
Leucaena leucocephala |
Ku-babul or White Babul |
Litchi chinensis |
Lichi |
Madhuca indica |
Mahua |
Magnolia grandiflora |
Him Champa |
Mangifera indica |
Aam |
Melia azedarach |
Bakain |
Mesua ferrea |
Naagkesar (Nahar) |
Mimusops elengi |
Maulsari |
Mimusops hexandra |
Khirni |
Moringa oleifera |
Senjana |
Morus alba |
Shahtoot |
Murraya koenigii |
Currypatta |
Oroxylum indicum |
Dirghavrinta, Kutannat, Putivriksha |
Albizia saman |
Raintree |
Platanus orientalis |
Chinar |
Polyalthia longifolia |
Ashok |
Pterospermum acerifolium |
Kanak Champa |
Putranjiva roxburghii |
Jivanputra |
Quercus incana |
Oak tree (Baanj) |
Salix tetrasperma |
Indian Willow |
Sapindus mukorossi |
Ritha |
Sapium sebiferum |
Makhan Tree |
Schleichera trijuga |
Kusum |
Shorea robusta |
Sal |
Sterculia alata |
Buddha Coconut |
Sterculia urens |
Kulu |
Swietenia mahagoni |
Mahagony |
Syzygium cumini |
Jamun |
Tamarindus indica |
Imli |
Taxodium |
Taxodium |
Tectona grandis |
Teak (Sagwan) |
Terminalia bellirica |
Bahera |
Terminalia myriocarpa |
Hollock |
Thespesia populnea |
Tulip Tree |
Trewia nudiflora |
False White Teak |
Vitex negundo |
Sambhalu |
Ziziphus mauritiana |
Ber |
Ornamental/
Flowering Tree Section: More than 35 species of ornamental
trees like Acacias, Lagerstroemia, Cassias and Bauhinias etc.
have been planted in this section. The list of trees is following
:-
ORNAMENTAL/FLOWERING TREES PLANTED
IN CHANDIGARH BOTANICAL GARDEN (ORNAMENTAL SECTION)
Botanical name |
Common name |
Acacia auriculiformis |
Australian Kikar |
Acacia farnesiana |
Guh baboool, Gukikar |
Acacia nilotica |
Kikar |
Albizia lebbeck |
Siris (Kokoo Tree) |
Albizia procera |
Safed Siris |
Artabotrys odoratissimus |
Hari Champa |
Barringtonia acutangula |
Samudraphala |
Bauhinia alba |
Safed Kachnar |
Bauhinia purpurea |
Geranium tree/ Kaniar |
Bauhinia tomentosa |
Yellow Kachnar |
Bauhinia variegata |
Kachnar |
Bauhinia blackiana |
Kachnar |
Bauhinia sulpharai |
Kachnar |
Bauhinia acuminata |
Kachnar |
Butea frondosa |
Dhak, Flame of the Forests |
Cassia fistula |
Amaltas |
Cassia javanica |
Java-Ki-Rani |
Cassia nodosa |
Pink-Mohur |
Cassia renigera |
Pink-Cassia |
Cassia siamea |
Kassod |
Callistemon lanceolatus |
Bottle Brush |
Chorisia speciosa |
Silk Cotton Tree |
Delonix regia |
Gulmohar |
Erythrina indica |
Indian Coral Tree |
Erythrina blakei |
Pangar |
Jacaranda mimosifolia |
Nili Gulmohar |
Koelreuteria paniculata |
Golden Rain Tree |
Lagerstroemia thorelli |
Queen’s Flower |
L.flos reginae |
Pride of India |
Millettia ovalifolia |
Rosewood |
Murraya paniculata |
Kamini |
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis |
Har Singar |
Peltophorum ferrugineum |
Yellow Flame Tree |
Plumeria alba |
Pagoda Tree |
Plumeria rubra |
Golenchi/Golachin, Champa |
Robinia pseudoacacia |
Black locust (Kashmiri Kikar) |
Saraca asoca |
Sita Ashok |
Tecoma argentea |
Yellow Tabebuia, Silver Trumpet |
Tecomella undulata |
Tree Roheda, Rohida |
Terminalia myriocarpa |
Hollock |
Pinetum: 12 coniferous species including pines have
been planted in this section and few more will be added in
future.
Palmatum: This section consists of 20 species of Palms
and cycads. A part of this section has been devoted to include
pseudo-palms too.
Sacred Grove: This section has been developed in the
form of a Cosmic tree/ ‘Sarva Dharma Vriksha’.
This ‘tree’ comprises 11 branches and each branch
represents a specific religious Vatika. The Vatikas are :-
- Ram Vatika
- Krishan Vatika
- Guru-ke-Bagh Vatika
- Kurani Vatika
- Christian Vatika
- Navgraha Vatika
- Shiv Vatika
- Vishnu Vatika
- Brahma Vatika
- Jain Vatika
- Budh Vatika
In these Vatikas, the trees associated with various religions
have been planted.
Cactus & Succulent Section: More than 100 varieties
of Cactus & Succulent plants have been collected from
different sources to develop this section. A beautiful water
body and water channel adds to its aesthetic value. Furthermore,
a poly-house, poly-carb house and a glass-house are being
added.
Aquatic Plants Section: This section will have more
than 30 aquatic plant species.
Rare
Plants Section: An area of about 3 acres have been allocated
to this section. The collection will include rare plants from
India & abroad.
Tropical Rain Forest Section: A number of tree species
specific to rain-forest have been planted in this section.
This section would be enriched further with more such species
and also matching features.
Bulbous Garden: This section will be developed over
2 acres of land. It will consist of a variety of Bulbous plants
of this region.
Japanese Garden: This section is under development
over 5 acres of land. The garden will have various Japanese
features.
Nutrition garden: This section include fruit species
suitable for temperate, tropical and sub tropical region.
More than 15 fruit species have already been introduced in
this section. Few more will be added in future.
Other salient features of the Botanical Garden:
Office-cum-Nature
Interpretation Centre: The office building near Gate No.1
has been constructed as Nature Interpretation Centre. The
exhibits related to medicinal plants and other kind of flora
and wildlife will be displayed here to create awareness amongst
the masses about the nature, environment, medicinal plants,
forests & wildlife. A Conference Hall with a capacity
to accommodate more than 100 persons would be utilized to
educate the students, farmers, NGOs and other interested groups.
Workshops & other activities related to environment education
will also be carried out in the Conference Room.
There
is a small Library with books on medicinal plants, forestry,
wildlife, environment and set of magazines related to ecology
and environment. The visitors/ tourists will have free access
to the library.
Roads and Pathways: To go round the garden, a five
km. cycle track has been laid. The department will provide
‘bicycle’ on a nominal rent to the visitors. A
network of cement concrete pathways of 6 km. length criss-crossing
the entire length & breadth of the garden has also been
constructed to have close access to each section of the Botanical
Garden.
Lake: 2 lakes have been developed along Patiala-ki-Rao
and in Botanical Garden covering 15 & 8 acres of land
respectively. These have been so designed as to harvest rain
water. These aesthetically designed water bodies will also
act as a percolation tanks. Few boats will also be provided
to promote eco-tourism.
Water
bodies: In addition to the lake, 5 more water bodies have
been developed inside the garden. These water bodies will
also harvest the rain water and add to the beauty of the garden.
Besides, the purpose here too is to recharge the underground
water aquifers.
Meditation Huts-cum-Rain Shelters: Two Meditation
Huts have already been erected and 4 more will be added in
due course.
Nursery-cum-Research Block: An exclusive nursery for
Botanic Garden has already been developed over 2 acres of
land. It consists of a green shade net-house and a poly-house
too. Saplings of medicinal plants are already being distributed
to the individuals/ organizations for the promotion of medicinal
plants/ herbal gardens in U.T. Chandigarh.An area of 1?acre
has been kept reserved for Herbarium and the Research Block.
Public Utility services: There is a provision of Toilets
and water posts all along cycle tracks and pathways.
Cafeteria: An area of about an acre has been kept
reserved for construction of a Cafeteria overlooking the lake
in the garden.
Nature
Reserve/ Nature Park:-
The Nature Reserve i.e. Patiala-ki-Rao forest which is connected
with the Botanical Garden by a causeway has 3 km. of Nature
Trail. A lake (water hole) spreading over 15 acres of land
has been developed in Patiala-ki-Rao forests. This lake will
act as a water hole for the wildlife present in the Patiala-ki-Rao
forests and will also promote eco-tourism in the city.
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