The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) would add greenery to the Parikarma of the Golden Temple.

The SGPC has prepared a comprehensive plan to grow ornamental and floral plants in the complex to beautify the precincts of the shrine, which lacks shady trees.

Dr Enamul Haque, a renowned historian and expert on the preservation of historical monuments and other sites and a UNESCO nominee, had recently recommended to add green belts inside and outside the complex.

According to SGPC officials, they asked for expert advise on the plan.

The SGPC President, Mr Avtar Singh Makkar, said he had accepted the proposal and was likely to hand over the project to Baba Jagtar Singh Tarn Taran “Kar Sewa Wale”. “The project will be given a go ahead in the next couple of weeks. Floriculturists from the Punjab Agricultural University will be preparing a blueprint of the work including the varieties of plants and other shrubs to be planted. “Plants with specially-made flower pots will dot the roofs of the Parikarma.”

Mr Makkar said that after this project, the SGPC would take up similar projects in other historic Gurdwaras including Takht Sri Damdama Sahib.

About 600 flower pots would be planted around the Parikarma, including varieties mentioned in Guru Granth Sahib, the SGPC President said.

The UNESCO nominee had earlier said that the Galliara Project should have lots of green space to save the shrine from the corrosion due to large-scale movement of vehicles.

Dr Haque had added that no petrol and diesel vehicles should be allowed within two km radius of the Golden Temple and that only cycle-rickshaws or electrically-operated buggies be used for ferrying pilgrims to the temple.