An inventory of multipurpose Avenue trees of Urban Chandigarh, India

Abstract

Trees in urban ecosystems play a very significant role in environmental protection by checking air and noise pollntants, abating wind, and handling many other functions, in India, Chandigarh is the mosl modern and em,iromnentally safe city and qualifies to be called a GREEN CITY because of its rich tree component. This is so in spite of its high population density, currently over 9,443 people per square kin, perhaps the highest in the country. It has nearly 42,000 trees growing along the roads in a systematic manner. The drives are identified with the type of multipurpose tree species. Nearly 66 tree species (over half indigenous) are seen along the roadsides; these trees provide shade, timber, fuel, fodder, fruit, medicine, and other benefits. In addition, the city is decorated with 11 gardens harboring over 200 types of trees.