Pune: Balewadi Welfare Federation Plants Over 1,200 Trees Under ‘Green Balewadi’ Initiative
Balewadi, 12th August 2025: The Balewadi Welfare Federation has strengthened its urban greening efforts through its ongoing ‘Green Balewadi’ initiative, which has seen the plantation of over 1,200 trees since 2021. Of these, an estimated 850 to 900 have survived, reflecting the sustained impact of the project.
Implemented in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Garden Department, the initiative focuses on restoring Balewadi’s green cover by utilising open spaces, roadside stretches, and community grounds.
The latest plantation drive was conducted on Sunday morning, August 10, along the road from Dasara Chowk to Lakshmi Mata Temple, where 50 saplings were planted. This marks the second major plantation effort of the monsoon season, following a similar drive in June that added 50 trees in the Palak Marg area.
The event saw active participation from Federation members, local residents, and volunteers, highlighting strong community engagement in environmental conservation.
Prominent contributors to the initiative include Ramesh Rokade, Adv. Mashalkar, Ashish Kotamkar, Moreshwar Balwadkar, Dafedar Singh, Adv. Indrajit Kulkarni, Rajiv Shah, Vaibhav Aadhav, Vandana Chaudhary, Ashok Nawal, Sunil Hovale, Lalit Pawar, Dr. Ajit Dhatrak, Girish Dhobe, Omprakash Wankhede, and Shakeel Salati.
The Federation stated that its goal is to make Balewadi greener, healthier, and more sustainable for future generations. By increasing tree cover, the initiative aims to improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, support biodiversity, and enhance community well-being.
Officials believe the project can serve as a model for citizen-led ecological action in rapidly urbanising neighbourhoods across Pune.
