Punjab to name state flower, Palash and Kachnar short listed

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government has come one step nearer to naming the State Flower. As part of the process to undertake this unique venture, the State Government had invited suggestions from the Punjab Bio-Diversity Board and all the universities of the state.Disclosing this, an official spokesperson said that while the Government has received numerous names as contenders for the status of ‘STATE FLOWER’ but Butea Monosperma (Palash) and Phanera Variegata (Kachnar) are leading the race. The spokesperson also disclosed that the suggestions received also include the names of some other flower species for e.g.— Kikar, Gurhal, Jawakusum and Rohra.The spokesperson elaborated that some of these are on the verge of extinction and if anybody amongst them is named state flower then concrete strategies would be formulated for their preservation.