Chief Secretary Inaugurates Paudh Mela 2026, Promotes Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Living
The Voice of Chandigarh News
H. Rajesh Prasad, Chief Secretary, U.T. Chandigarh, inaugurated the Paudh Mela 2026 at the Lake Club Parking Area in the presence of Mandip Singh Brar, Home Secretary-cum-Secretary, Forest & Wildlife, and Saurabh Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, U.T. Chandigarh.
The Paudh Mela witnessed enthusiastic participation from various government departments, educational institutions and community organizations. Stalls set up by the Forest Department, the Horticulture Wing of the Engineering Department and the Municipal Corporation offered a wide variety of saplings for sale, facilitating easy access for citizens while promoting tree plantation and environmental awareness.
Several thematic stalls showcased innovative initiatives in sustainability and conservation.
School students displayed eco-friendly products, including herbal colours and organic manure prepared through a cyclic zero-waste process. The Model Jail, Burail, exhibited sweets prepared by jail inmates, highlighting skill development and rehabilitation initiatives. The 133 Ecological Task Force showcased a Nav Grah Vatika, while CREST presented information on the PM Surya Ghar initiative. Self Help Groups, including Arpan and Safaimitra, displayed their products and activities. The students also presented dedicated stall showcasing host and nectar plant species essential for butterfly conservation, highlighting their ecological significance and encouraging citizens to create butterfly-friendly gardens. Other attractions included stalls on Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Management, Horticulture Waste Processing, Prarambh, and a Wildlife Rescue Equipment display by the Forest Department, which generated considerable interest among visitors.
On the occasion, the Chief Secretary distributed the Awards to Eco-clubs and Eco-Societies, recognizing the outstanding contribution of schools and higher educational institutions towards environmental conservation and awareness.
The Chief Secretary also released “PAHAL” (Promoting Awareness for Healthy and Active Lifestyle), a Climate Education and Outreach Magazine developed by the Department of Environment for school students. The magazine provides simple, engaging and easy-to-understand educational material aimed at encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour among students and the younger generation. It seeks to foster awareness about climate change, sustainable lifestyles and practical measures for environmental protection.
Interacting with the gathering, the Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of collective participation in preserving the environment and urged citizens, particularly the youth, to actively contribute towards making Chandigarh greener, cleaner and more sustainable. He appreciated the efforts of all participating departments and organizations for making the Paudh Mela a vibrant platform for environmental education, awareness and community engagement.
Mandip Singh Brar, Home Secretary-cum-Secretary, Forest & Wildlife, U.T. Chandigarh, emphasized that environmental conservation is a shared responsibility and highlighted the importance of strengthening public participation in plantation drives, biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices. He appreciated the collaborative efforts of various departments, educational institutions and community organizations in making the Paudh Mela a meaningful platform for promoting environmental awareness and citizen engagement.
