Paint it green: Book launched on tree plantation, effective landscaping

The main focus of the book, shares Johl, is to present an ideal use of trees in urban living with the goal of significantly improving the quality of life for people living and working in urban areas. Johl has to his credit the development of the world-famous Rose Garden, Leisure Valley, Shanti Kunj, Bougainvillea Garden, the stunning Pinjore Gardens. “I think I stayed there longer than the Mughals, for good ten years,” laughs Johl, who also worked as the Advisor to Punjab Urban Development Authority for landscape projects.

As part of the research, the authors conducted a thorough study of New Delhi’s tree plantation designs done by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and those done by Le Corbusier for Chandigarh. Growing trees, reflects Johl, is the cheapest and one of the most effective methods for improving the physical environment. “Trees are the most exquisite natural material for urban design. Most of our urban habitats have high densities of population, are treeless, bare and facing alarming levels of pollution. It is necessary to take up a tree plantation programme at the national level. Trees purify dirty air, reduce dust, noise and create a healthy environment,” says Johl, who talks about using trees to create intimate spaces, and the concept of developing an entire city as a park, which is a part of the book.

This beautifully illustrated and functional book highlights the fundamental requirements of carrying out plantation in a planned manner around roads, buildings, open spaces and parks. “One can plan and grow trees not as decoration, but as living building materials to create and reinforce urban spaces. This is achieved by planting trees as groups in the form of rows, groves and numerous architectural settings in accordance with the intrinsic nature and evolutionary requirements, and not as scattered individual specimens.”

At present, rue the authors, carefully designed road sections and proper places for growing trees and installation of electric power lines are not being adopted even in planned cities.

This aspect is indispensable and has been explained in great detail in this book. The authors hope that the approach of tree plantation, as described in this book, gets adopted in urban areas. “It will produce wonderful results and will serve as a model for all present and future generations,” believes Johl.