Alarmed at the continuous encroachments and vehicles trespassing in green belts of Chandigarh, the UT Administration has finally woken up to mend the damage done in the past.

The Mango Grove along Purv Marg in Chandigarh is the primary focus of UT Administration in this regard. After ignoring this green area for years, the UT Administration has now decided to fence the area of Mango Grove to preserve it.

The proposal of fencing of existing Mango Grove in the green belt abutting Purv Marg near Industrial Area Phase I was discussed by Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) recently.

The Mango Grove along Purv Marg falls under the jurisdiction of the Horticulture Department of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh and has over thousands of Mango trees.

Recently, the MCC officials brought forth that the green belt is vulnerable to encroachments and is also trespassed by vehicles. After deliberations in its meeting over the issue, the CHCC has principally approved fencing along the internal road running along Mango Grove of the Industrial Area and sealing wall towards the residential houses of Sector 28 and 29 to save the green belt.

The Municipal Corporation authorities have also been directed to put up a proposal for the same to the UT Urban Planning Department for detailed planning. A senior official of the UT Administration said, “The matter was discussed in detail and the Committee came to the conclusion that in view of the heritage status of the green belt and the natural ambience it lends at the entry of the city, the whole belt should not be fenced along the Purv Marg.

And, fencing should be done along the internal roads running along Mango grove to save it.” The official added, “More such plans would be chalked out to protect other green belts in the city.”

In its heritage report approved by the Centre regarding the preservation and maintenance of city’s heritage, the UT Administration had recommended to accord the status of ‘heritage zones’ to 13 vicinities of the city. And, the Mango Grove along Purv Marg has been included under the Heritage Zone-IX. The Heritage Zone-XIII suggested along V3 roads included Purv Marg and other Margs of the city.

The Mango Belt is located along the Purv Marg of Chandigarh, separating the industrial area from the residential areas. It runs north east to south west of the city, starting from the Transport roundabout.

On both sides of the road, rows of Mango tress of different varieties of dusheri, langra and chausa have been planted.

This green belt was developed to act as complete tree buffer to protect the nearby residential areas from the pollutants emanating from the factories in Industrial Area and from the pollution of traffic moving along the Purv Marg.

Notably, Chandigarh Greening Action Plan and State of Environment Report had suggested to give a special attention to Mango grove along Purv Marg.

The State of Environment Report 2004 had also stated that increasing pollution along Purv Marg has visible impact on plants as it is lowering production of Mango orchard adjacent to the Industrial area ( as informed by the local contractors) and scientific data needs to be collected on this aspect.