National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre, situated at
Panchkula in
Panchkula District of
Haryana, houses Asia's largest collection of cacti and succulents. Set over an area of 7 acres, this institute boasts of over 2500 species of cacti and succulents. It has the world’s largest collection of Indian succulents, including the species belonging to the extremely rare Genus Caralluma family.
National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre, formerly called Cactus Garden, was setup in 1992. It was the result of the vision and hard work of Dr J S Sarkaria, an eminent cactus grower, who donated his own enviable collection of cacti and succulent plants to the garden, apart from providing his valuable technical advice. The main objective behind the establishment of the garden was the preservation and conservation of endangered species of cacti and succulents, some of which are used in traditional Indian healing systems of Ayurveda and Unani.
Another major motive was to create a tourist attraction, where the general public could get a glimpse of the fine collection of rare and exotic cactus plants. The garden currently contains three green houses, which are frequented by both the tourists and botanists.
