Chandigarh Botanical Garden & Nature Park

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

Medicinal Shrubs

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]

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

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)

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.

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.