Punjab Newspaper

Punjab Forest Department is all set to have state of art integrated ‘Forest Complex’ at Mohali to house all wings of Forest Department under one roof.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Tikshan Sud, Forest Minister said that ‘Forest Complex’ to be constructed on two acres plot in Sector – 68 would have a unique distinction of first building in Punjab to have ‘Green Building Certification’ from International Environmental Certification body. He said that it would be energy efficient, State of art building incorporating green building design principles and would be a forceful and elegant statement of the purpose and intent reflecting the environmental concerns of Forest Department. The department would be entitled to earn ‘Carbon Credits’ for this Green Building .
The Minister said that the Forest Complex will serve as headquarter of Punjab Forest Department housing all wings of Forest Department in Chandigarh including the offices of Forest Minister, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Principal Secretary Forest, Principal Chief Conservator Forest, Additional Chief Conservator Forests, Chief Wildlife Warden and also office of M.D Forest Corporation. Apart from offices, the building will also house Library cum Documentation Centre, Forest & Wildlife Gallery, GIS & MIS Labs, Conference Rooms, Training Facilities, Yoga cum Activity Centre, Ladies Room/Crèche, Guest house and Basement parking.
He said that this integrated Forest complex besides streamlining the working of forest department would also save Rs. 65 lacs per annum rent being paid by various offices of Forest Department.
The Forest Minister said that the Complex Design is truly modern and unique and would stand out in landscape as a hallmark of holistic planning and Architectural excellence. Mr. Sud said Building layout is tortoise shape and in elevation it represents five tree towers. He said that total area of the building is 1,30,000 sq. ft. and would be constructed in two phases. in the first phase 70,000 sq. ft. area would be constructed approximately at cost of 12 Crores and the rest 60,000 sq. ft. area shall be constructed in second phase.
The Forest Minister said that Department is working on war footing to complete the building before March 2009. Architectural firm was already on place and Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has approved design concept. Mr. Sud said that Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation Ltd. an ISO 9001 State Government Undertaking has been chosen as Government agencies to overlook and supervise construction work. The Minister said that a high level Committee under the Chairmanship of Sh. H. S. Gujral, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Dev.), Punjab has been notified by Punjab Government for design and construction of this Complex. (Pictures of Conceptual design of Forest Complex attached with this file.