Indian native trees to be planted at eco park site in Wanowrie: claims Pune Forest Dept

The Pune Forest Department plans to plant several native trees at the forest land behind Ruby Hall Clinic, Wanowrie, for which 100-odd trees have been felled.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Suresh Warak, Range Forest Officer, Wanowrie, Pune forest department said, “The current 100 trees at the site are of Gliricidia type which have become very old & are non-native trees. So, by felling those, 1000 fresh Indian native trees will be planted at the same place.”

Bhupesh Sharma, a member of the Anandvan Foundation said, “Gliricidia trees have been removed by the forest department. We have been invited by them to plant some fresh native trees in the same place. So, our major role in this is to plant the fresh native trees which will be done next month.”

It is worthy to note that the reserve forest land in Wanowrie, behind Ruby Hall Clinic, is being developed into an ecotourism park by the Maharashtra Eco-tourism Development Board. The park will have a variety of native tree species and will be 4 acres in size.

Some locals have, however, expressed doubts about this.

A resident said that, although they have been informed that the park would not be made of concrete, there are tons of rocks and other materials on the property. What is the assurance that this park will be maintained given the state of the other parks in the city?

As per information, the park will have over 1,000 native species of trees, including Jamun and Peepal. It is expected to be completed by March this year. The department plans to construct more of these parks in Lohegaon, Pisoli and Wadki.

Shreyas Vange