The city will soon get a state-of-the-art Forest Complex in Sector 68 thanks to the efforts of the Punjab Forest Department.

Punjab Forest Minister Tikshan Sud on Wednesday presided over the slab laying ceremony of the seventh floor of the complex.

Addressing mediapersons, Sud said the civil construction work for the basement, ground and seven floors of the building has been completed in a record time of less than a year after Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had laid foundation stone of the project on October 7, 2008.

Financial Commissioner (Forests) R C Nayyar claimed it to as "a very creditable achievement" since the construction of the complex involved numerous technical difficulties on account of the curvilinear design in both plan and elevation as also unique design of all floors.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Punjab, B C Bala said the Forest Complex was being constructed on "Green Building Design" principles in which a lot of emphasis was being laid on conservation of energy.

This was achieved by using high performance glass on the façade, which would let in adequate light but also keep out the heat.

Sensors were also being installed to automatically switch off air-conditioners and lights when there was no occupancy in the area.

The large central courtyard with a huge waterfall would also result in appreciable natural cooling.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Development)

and Chairman, Forest Complex Construction Committee, H S Gujral said a workforce of over 200 skilled persons was engaged on the project and the work was being carried out on war footing.

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