UT to clean, realign Sukhna Choe; city forest plan in works

Chandigarh: The UT administration will undertake a comprehensive clean-up and restoration of Sukhna Choe, with the forest department set to clear polythene waste and weeds from the choe bed and its banks, even as work to realign the channel has been tendered and is expected to be completed within 90 days.

Officials said the project aims to regulate surface flow and check bank erosion. Alongside, the administration is also planning to develop a “city forest” in the Sukhna Choe area to promote conservation, eco-tourism and public awareness through nature-based learning.

Separately, UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Thursday reviewed preparations for the Plantation Plan 2026–27, directing departments to prioritise quality over quantity. While 6.64 lakh saplings were planted last year against a target of 5.76 lakh with a survival rate of around 79%, the new plan targets 4.19 lakh saplings, with focus on better survival and maintenance.

The plantation drive will be launched during Van Mahotsav, with a parallel push for citizen participation under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign from June 5.