ROSE GARDEN
Rose garden of Chandlgarh covers an area of 16 Acre and is considered as biggest Rose garden of Asia which has 1600 varieties of roses . Many new varieties have been created by grafting on various kinds of roses. This has resulted in the production of new varieties. Some big bright clured varieties are crossed with highly scented varieties. roses are painted .A unique varieties of even green colour is produced. Though as yet green flower is very small and not so charming but still production of green rose is remarkable achievement.
Sizes of the beds also greatly vary as some are quite small, some of medium size and some very large. The sizes of the roses also range from very small to very large. The colour scheme in most of the beds is of the same colour. The topography of the rose garden is of rolling landscape which is not only suitable for the growth of the roses, but gives extra charm to the garden. Roses do not require very wet ground for luxuriant growth and rain water must not stand for a long time in the beds and as the topography of the land is of rolling type the rain water clears of within a short time from the beds. This ideal condition coupled with plenty of sunshine has produced excellent results in the quality of the roses in the garden.
Most of the beds are quite at a distance from the trees and shrubs so that roots are not entangled with the roots of the shrubs, and trees and in this way the plants have ample space for growth.
A very big fountain located in a circular water tank, in the middle of the garden, ejects a very high jet of water which is very soothing to the eye, and from certain points rainbow colours can be seen. A cluster of relatively small fountains at one corner of the garden has its own charm. The grass in the lawns is of such variety that it remains green throughout the year.
SUKHNA LAKE
Sukhna lake is the pride of Chandigarh,Corbusier loved water, the play of sun and cloud on it and also the Shivalik hills that form a natural beautiful backdrop of the city. This lake was created in the north-east corner of the city by constructing a dam on a rainfed choe Sukhna. The length of the dam is three and a half kms. Water sports are organised by the lake club every year. To welcome the migratory birds which come here in winter a programme is held by the Environment Society Chandigarh in which, on the spot painting and identification contest are organised , for the school children on the theme of birds. Similarly a farewell function in also organised towards the end of the winter season. These functions are very popular amongst school children. Come November and the Sukhna lake becomes host for the migratory birds like teals, Pintails, brahminy ducks, spot bills, bar headed geese, cormorants, coots and many other varieties of the birds which migrate from across the Himalayas or from the lakes in the higher reaches of Himalayas. This is the time when Sukhna lake becomes alive with hopping, fluttering and frolicking of the birds. At this time of the year silt in the lake somewhat settles down and the surface of the water becomes clear. Water is so clear that after dark one can see lights of Kasauli, Dagshai and Parwanoo reflected in the lake looking like clusters of gems. One can find water snakes gracefully swimming in the water and resident birds like egrets, bitterns, water hens, moorhens, painted snipes and water cocks. Sometimes one finds a kingfisher quietly sitting and brooding on some twig or a stone looking keenly on the surface of tie lake, and all of a sudden it strikes the surface of the water head-long and flies away in a trice with a fish in is beak. Flocks of birds fly over the lake and their colourful eathers shine in the backdrop of the azure blue sky and after a short flight mostly in circles they gracefully glide down and I,'mel on the surfface of the water. In the month of November an impressive fire works programme is organized by the Chandigarh administration on the island in the lake. During long Indian summer people flock to the lake to enjoy cool and pollution free atmosphere of the lake. With a view to keeping the bottom of the lake silt free, every year before the commencement of the summer monsoons de silting programme is undertaken. The bank of the lake is a favourite place for joggers, lovers and walkers. For the entertainment of the children and others there is a mini zoo nearby. Many people enjoy boating in the lake as the same are easily available.
The birds migrate from across the Himalayas or from the lakes in the higher reaches of Himalayas. This is the time when Sukhna lake becomes alive with hopping, fluttering and frolicking of the birds. At this time of the year silt in the lake somewhat settles down and the surface of the water becomes dear. Water is so clear that after dark one can see lights of Kasauli, Dagshai and Parwanoo reflected in the lake looking like clusters of gems. Sometimes one finds a kingfisher quietly sitting and brooding some twig or a stone looking keenly on the surface of tie lake, and all of a sudden it strikes the surface of the water head-long and flies away in a trice with a fish in is beak. Flocks of birds fly over the lake and their colourful eathers shine in the backdrop of the azure blue sky and after a short flight mostly in circles they gracefully glide down and land on the surface of the water. Sometimes crows vie with the water birds to get a pick for an insect or a small fish. To dodge the crows water birds dip in the water and then come to the surface far away. Kites, crows and hawks circle round the water birds in order to snatch away the fish from the beaks of the water birds. Nature lowers scan the birds through binoculars. Throughout wimter this extra charm of the lake continues.
In the month of November an impressive fire works programme is organized by the Chandigarh administration on the island in the lake. During long Indian summer people flock to the lake to enjoy cool and pollution free atmosphere of the lake. With a view to keeping the bottom of the lake silt free, every year before the commencement of the summer monsoons desilting programme is undertaken. The bank of the lake is a favourite place for joggers, lovers and walkers. For the entertainment of the children and others there is a mini zoo nearby! Many people enjoy boating in the lake as the same are easily available.
LEISURE VALLEY
At the beginning of the leisure valley near the M.L.A. Hostels on both the banks of a seasonal stream is a beautiful lawn of annual flowers. At this place the landscape is exceptionally beautiful as the topography is undulating and the whole stretch of the stream which passes through the length of the park is almost covered with very thick growth of trees, bamboos and flowery shrubs.
An annual plant completes its life cycle within a year. But to keep the garden in bloom throughout the year there are various annuals which come into flower during each season so the park is never without flowers. Openness of the ground gives maximum sunshine to the plants which results in the luxuriant growth of plants and flowers. During winter season the valley is at its best as the beds are full of foxglove, petunia, marigold, snapdragon, lavetera, silver cup, statice, phlooe, cosmos, nudhekla, helipterum, begonia, cockcomb, aster, sweet sultan, pansy, silver tip dahlias and sweetpeas etc. During summer season blossom, cochia, zenia, hollhock, ratanjot, marigold and irises, etc.
