Pune: Autadewadi Lake Gets a Green Makeover as Residents Lead Tree Plantation and Clean-Up Drive
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Autadewadi, 28th June 2026: Demonstrating the power of community-driven environmental conservation, the Godrej Prana Green Group organised a large-scale tree plantation and lake clean-up drive at Autadewadi Lake in Undri on Sunday. The initiative, held under the guidance of corporator Nivrutti Anna Bandal and coordinated by social worker Sachin Punekar, witnessed enthusiastic participation from residents of all age groups.
Children, women, senior citizens, and youth joined hands to clean the lake surroundings and plant saplings, reinforcing the importance of protecting Pune’s shrinking green spaces and urban water bodies.
Volunteers collected plastic bags, disposable cups, bottles, food wrappers, and other non-biodegradable waste scattered around the lake before segregating and disposing of it responsibly. The clean-up was followed by a tree plantation drive along the lake’s periphery to enhance green cover, improve biodiversity, and create a healthier habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Organisers said the initiative aimed not only to beautify the area but also to raise awareness about the environmental challenges facing Pune’s lakes, including plastic pollution, indiscriminate waste dumping, rapid urbanisation, and the loss of green spaces.
One of the highlights of the campaign was the participation of entire families. Children learned the importance of environmental conservation by planting saplings, while women and senior citizens actively contributed to the clean-up effort. Organisers noted that such collective participation fosters a stronger sense of responsibility towards public spaces and encourages long-term civic engagement.
Environmental volunteers expressed concern over the growing accumulation of plastic waste around Autadewadi Lake, warning that plastic pollution threatens aquatic life, contaminates water, and eventually breaks down into microplastics that enter the food chain. They stressed the need for regular clean-up drives and sustained public awareness to curb irresponsible waste disposal.
The plantation drive focused on increasing the lake’s green cover, with organisers highlighting the ecological benefits of trees, including reducing soil erosion, improving groundwater recharge, lowering ambient temperatures, absorbing carbon dioxide, and providing shelter for birds and pollinators. Residents also pledged to maintain the newly planted saplings through regular watering and monitoring.
Participants called for long-term conservation measures, including periodic cleanliness drives, the installation of waste bins, awareness signboards discouraging littering, and continuous monitoring to prevent illegal dumping around the lake.
Speaking on the occasion, social worker Sachin Punekar said, “Autadewadi Lake is a precious environmental asset for our locality. Protecting it is the responsibility of every citizen. Today’s participation proves that when communities unite, meaningful environmental change becomes possible. We hope this initiative inspires similar efforts across Pune.”
Corporator Nivrutti Anna Bandal said, “Urban development and environmental conservation must go hand in hand. The commitment shown by residents today is commendable. We will continue encouraging citizen participation in protecting lakes, planting trees, and making Pune cleaner and greener.”
Retired Army officer Col. Randhir Satish said, “Discipline, responsibility, and collective action are equally important in environmental conservation. The participation of children, women, and senior citizens sends a powerful message that protecting nature is everyone’s responsibility. Such initiatives should become a regular movement rather than an occasional event.”
Residents said the campaign demonstrated how community participation can complement the efforts of civic authorities in protecting urban ecosystems. With Pune facing increasing environmental challenges due to rapid urbanisation, participants expressed hope that similar citizen-led initiatives would play a crucial role in preserving lakes, expanding green cover, and building a more sustainable future.
