Pune is one of the fastest growing cities in India, soon to be a smart city. Initially, Pune city was famous for the green content. But, with the rapid growth and development the city is losing the city is tilting from green to grey. To fight and overcome this increased amount of pollution, TERRE has developed an Urban Forestry at Warje, which is one of the flagship projects of TERRE in the year 2015.
Warje is a small area located near Pune. Warje Urabn Forestry is the first ever urban forestry project in Maharashtra. Before developing it into forestry, it was around 16 hectares of barren land hill area of Forest Department and it caused many encroachments by slums and builders. To equalize the pollution with the clean air, TERRE came up with this initiative, Urban Forestry, where they used the land by Forest Department to convert it into Forestry.
In collaborations with TATA Motors and Persistent Foundations as CSR Partners, TERRE has planted around 9500 plants with the height of 6-8 feet and now has transformed into trees with the height of 9-10 feet. In the past 2-3 years the forestry has grown widely and has enriched the biodiversity of the area. The plantation includes around 23 indigenous plants species namely Banyan, Peepal, Sonchafa, Apta, Neem, Kanchan, Golden Banboos, Badam, Kaat, Amla, Umbar etc. Also, visitors have found around 29 local bird species, 15 butterfly species, 10 reptile species and 3 mammal species. The enthusiastic employees from both the organizations often visit the site for volunteering work. Also some other organizations and localites from Warje frequently gather and perform volunteering work. Also, inside the forestry, there is a provision of 2 huge water resources which are filled in rainy days and later the water is used for plants.
In Warje Urban Forestry, there is a provision to adopt a specific plant in your name. Till date, many nature loving people have adopted plants in the memory of their loved ones. This activity is being carried out annually.
Here is the month of June and the onset of the rain god.
The trees and plants will bloom with rain showers.
However, we see depletion of groundwater storage. The heavy development around us like the cement roads, tiles and construction activities does not help water to percolate in the ground.
We desperately need to plan the storage of water in the ground with help of tanks and seepage.
This will increase the level of groundwater reserves. The rivers, wells and small water reservoirs will have adequate supply.
Harvest water! Conserve life on Earth!
Being as a Project Partner TERRE Policy Centre team was invited at Nagenahiru Centre for Environment Education at Godahena, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka for Regional Forum form 4th Feb to 9th Feb 2024.
