Chandigarh, June 20 - Laying emphasis on the concept of 'Oxy Van', Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal announced a new Policy in which extra marks will be given to those students who will cater and nurture saplings from Class 8th to Class 12. Besides this, the Chief Minister inaugurated Panchkarma Wellness Centre, located in panormic view of Nature Camp Thapli and Nature Trails of Morni hills. The Chief Minister also digitally laid the foundation stone of Nakshatra Vatika, Navgrah Vatika and Rashi Van, collectively known as Antriksh Van today. The Chief Minister shared that the state already has 23 Panchkarma Centres and the 24th such Centre was inaugurated today. He stated that 500 Yogshalas and Vyayamshalas are functional in the state and the government aims to open more Panchkarma Centres in the state. He added that the state also has set a target of planting 3 crore saplings in near future.
The Chief Minister said that with the integrated development plan of Panchkula and its neighbouring areas, the local people will get numerous employment opportunities and will help Panchkula to be the most developed cities of the country.
The Chief Minister inaugurated a booklet on 'Environment Tourism' on the occasion as well. A documentary was also played during the event which extensively highlighted various initiatives being made to develop Panchkula into a tourist hub.
Union Minister for State, Jal Shakti & Social Justice, Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria, Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, Forest Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal and Minister of State for Sports, Sh. Sandeep Singh were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister also announced a pension of Rs. 2500 per year to the preserver of trees that are aging above 75 years as part of initiative to promote the concept of 'Oxy Van'.
He elaborated that Panchakarma is a traditional Ayurvedic process of detoxification, restoring youthfulness with the help of medicated oils.
The Chief Minister said that the Centre is a unique gift to the people and is being run in association with Forest Department and AYUSH Department.
Laying the foundation stone of Nakshatra Vatika, Rashi Van, Sugandh Vatika
Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of Nakshatra Vatika, Rashi Van and Sugandh Vatika.
These Vatikas will be developed in Govt. forest near village Masjidwala in Panchkula district. During 2021 Nakshatra Vatika will be developed on ten acres, Sugandh and Rashi van will be raised on five acres each. Later, efforts will also be made to expand the area in future.
Inauguration of nature trails
Eleven nature trails have been developed by forest department in Morni hills under Panchkula integrated development Project. The local youths will act as guides and will explain about local culture and traditions and also about the flora and fauna of the area.
Interaction with nature guides
Two youths from the villages are being trained as Nature guides. They are being taught about the flora and fauna of Morni, etiquettes of nature tourism, how to conduct nature tours, dealing with injuries, walking techniques, first aid etc.
Flagging off first group on Nature trail/ Eco trek
Keeping in view the prevailing COVID conditions, a small group of children were be flagged off to a small trek from Thapli Nature Camp to Thapli village. They were accompanied by a forest official well conversant with the plants, animals, birds and rocks of the area.
On the occasion Principal Secretary, Forest and Wildlife Department, Sh. G. Anupama, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Amit Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner Panchkula, Sh. Vinay Pratap, PCCF, Sh. V.S. Tanwar and many senior officers of the administration were present.