Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday asked the scientists to identify suitable areas especially around Sri Anandpur Sahib and south western Punjab for further propagation of important native trees species of the State.
Badal, releasing the book 'Tree Directory of Punjab' based on a scientific study undertaken for documentation of tree diversity of Punjab jointly by Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) and Punjab Agricultural University at his residence on Sunday morning to mark the International Biodiversity Day, 2015, described the trees as the most precious gift of nature to the mankind as these have supported and sustained life throughout our existence.
Badal lauded the role of PSCST and PAU for documenting the tree wealth of the State. Congratulating all the authors of the publication, he said that probably for the first time, this kind of exercise has been taken up in the state of Punjab.
Chief Minister said that present publication would serve as useful resource for policy makers and planners, forestry scientists, officers of State Forest Department and Punjab Biodiversity Board, students, researchers, field level workers and other stakeholders, who were directly or indirectly involved in management and conservation of trees and forests.
The State Science, Technology and Environment secretary KAP Sinha said that extensive field surveys were carried out throughout the state to document the first-hand information about existing trees in forest divisions, wildlife sanctuaries, botanical gardens, zoological parks, wetlands, along the rivers, national and state highways and in universities and agricultural areas.
He said that the publication highlights unmatched environmental significance of native tree species which were particularly resistant to various environmental factors.