The City Beautiful will get three new attractions namely Rashi Van, Nakshatra Van and Navagraha Van by the end of this year.

For, the UT Department of Forest and Wildlife is developing these three small groves in Nagar Van on the lines of such similar gardens in Daman and Diu and Goa. These three separate groves will be astro-themed gardens having a large variety of plants and trees.

UT Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden, Debendra Dalai while talking to The Pioneer said, “Separate patches of Rashi Van, Nakshatra Van and Navagraha Van are being developed in Nagar Van here. These gardens will be inaugurated by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore in November or December.”

According to the Hindu astrology, the position of the planets when a person is born determines his potential in life. The nine planets collectively are called Navagrahas. The Nakshatras or lunar constellations also hold deep importance in Hindu Astrology.

Dalia said that saplings of 27 species of Nakshatra, nine species of Navagraha, 12 species of Rashi have been planted in Nagar Van.

The idea is to encourage people to plant saplings as per their zodiac signs and take care of these plants. In Vedic astrology, these plants or trees are said to bring positive energies and good luck, he added.

Notably, Nagar Van was opened here for the visitors last year. Spread over 100 hectares in and around the lake reserve forest area, Nagar Van has facilities such as walkways, jogging trails, nature trails, shallow water bodies, visitors’ shed among others.

The Chief Conservator of Forest further said that the Department of Forest and Wildlife is working to convert Nagar Van into a major tourist attraction.  A ‘Bird Park’ on the lines of Jurong Bird Park in Singapore is also proposed to be developed in Nagar Van, he said.

Dalai, who recently went to Singapore to visit the Jurong Bird Park said, “We have planned to develop two aviaries including one for the exotic species of birds. A waterfall would also be developed in the Bird Park.”

The Bird Park is proposed to be developed in two phases on about four acres of land in Nagar Van, he added.

Jurong Bird Park, Asia’s largest bird park houses more than 3500 bird across around 400 species including threatened species.