Trees at PAU Botanical Garden make way for auditorium

Dr Hari Singh Sandhu,a retired landscapist from PAU,recalls,“The greenery at PAU was planned by Dr M S Randhawa,a major force behind the Green Revolution. These spaces were set up not only for recreation and leisure but also as a means to educate the students and the visitors about the diversity of our planet.” Ironically,PAU holds a flower show every year dedicated to the memory of Dr Randhawa and has even named its show as Dr M S Randhawa Flower Show,but when it comes to following the great man’s vision,the idea seems to be different.

Estate officer Dr Gurkirpal Singh,who is overseeing the entire operation,says,“We have cleared one part of the Botanical Garden and have cut some small trees,as we will be constructing an auditorium here.”

Not many,however,are happy with the decision. A morning walker to PAU points out,“At a time when we should be planting more trees,it is sad to see PAU felling trees. The institution should set an example in planting trees. When these date trees were planted,we were hopeful that greenery would be enhanced here,but felling trees to make space for buildings is hardly an image that PAU would like to project in times when the message of going green to save the planet is being propagated globally.”