Ex-bureaucrat calls for sapling plantation in Kartarpur

Jaspal has authored a book titled "Tryst with Trees" documenting historical gurdwaras named after trees.

Many of these gurdwaras are located in Pakistan and are named after indigenous trees, Jaspal told on Friday on his return from Pakistan.

He visited Pakistan in connection with the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

An official statement quoting the Prime Minister said the historic initiative to open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on the auspicious occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak was to meet the longstanding request of 'Nanak Naam Levas' and especially the Sikh community across the world, particularly from India.

Jaspal shared with Khan a landscape plan for Kartarpur Sahib and the Pakistan Prime Minister agreed with the suggestion for plantation of native species like Van, Jand, Phalahi, Pilu etc. which comprised the once densely forested region during the time of Guru Nanak.

The Prime Minister also welcomed Jaspal's proposal for participation of devotees in tree plantation in Kartarpur Sahib through the concept of "Family Tree Ownership" under which specific saplings would be planted by devotees, or on their behalf, for a one-time maintenance charge.

In the first-of its-kind occasion in seven decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 9 sent the first lot of 500 pilgrims to visit Darbar Sahib, also called Kartarpur Sahib, the last resting place of first Sikh master Guru Nanak Dev, in Narowal district in Pakistan's Punjab province, after inaugurating the corridor.

( With inputs from IANS )