Punjab Governor warns climate change an immediate crisis on the launch of the museum of trees

CHANDIGARH: VP Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab, virtually inaugurated the Museum of Trees in Chandigarh, which is a grove created out of genetically true replicas of sacred trees of Sikhism. The initiative was conceived and curated by DS Jaspal, ex-IAS officer and author inspired by a unique practice of naming shrines after trees in Sikh religion. Alongside each tree, eight-foot-high panels have been established carrying description of each tree’s botanical features and its relationship and historical and religious background of the shrine.

The Ministry of Culture and Government of India funded the project and it is promoted by Chandigarh Nature and Health Society, a registered NGO. It is India’s only outdoor walkthrough museum so far, where visitors can see genetically true replicas of different sacred trees, including Dukh Bhanjani ber tree of Golden Temple; ber tree of Gurdwara Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodi; and ber tree of Gurdwara Babe-di-Ber, Sialkot, Pakistan.

The Museum of Trees has India’s most modern mist chamber facility and a glasshouse conservatory. Sixteen air-conditioners have been installed to preserve and propagate rare and endangered species. Jaspal added that the trees are protected by an entirely in-house organic spray of garlic, chillies and heeng mixed with water and therefore the trees are healthy and bearing rich fruit.

During the inauguration ceremony, VP Singh said that climate change is an immediate crisis for humanity. He added that to meet this challenge, people will have to come forward with initiatives like the Museum of Trees to mobilise public opinion.”