Pune: Eco-Garden Blossoms Atop Mahatma Phule Sanskrutik Bhavan In Wanowrie

Wanowrie, 13th February 2024: In a collaborative endeavour between the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and residents, an eco-garden has thrived atop the Mahatma Phule Sanskrutik Bhavan in Wanowrie. Spanning an area of 8,000 square feet, this innovative project has transformed the roof of the cultural building into a vibrant oasis, boasting over 300 diverse plant species.

The eco-garden features a butterfly garden brimming with fruits, leafy vegetables, Ayurvedic plants, and a variety of flowering plants, creating a lush, oxygen-rich environment. Following a thorough inspection and inauguration by PMC officials on February 14th, the garden will be open to citizens free of charge.

Embracing the principle of ‘disposable to sustainable,’ the garden has been constructed from repurposed materials such as wash basins, bathtubs, crates, earthen pots, old bicycles, drums, bamboo, and dried grass. By adhering to the theme of ‘Best from Waste,’ residents are encouraged to recycle durable items like pots for planting various flora, thereby adding to the garden’s eclectic charm.

Among the foliage, medicinal herbs like Terminalia Arjuna, Baheda, and Shatavari flourish alongside captivating flowering varieties such as roses, Arabian Jasmine (mogra), marigolds, and sunflowers, attracting a diverse array of butterflies. Notably, the garden boasts an abundance of oxygen-emitting plants such as spider plants, snake plants, and moni plants.

Ashish Sankpal, the lead architect of the project, expressed, “The garden’s inception a year ago marked the transformation of waste materials into aesthetic elements, including bamboo huts for senior citizens to relax in. We envision active citizen participation in nurturing and maintaining this green sanctuary, providing opportunities for seniors to reconnect with nature.”

Maithili Manakawad, president of the Mohalla Committee, underscored the community-driven nature of the project, stating, “Despite initial setbacks with the PMC’s ward office project, our committee seized the initiative to embark on this endeavour. With generous support from organizations like the Rotary Club and numerous volunteers, we have successfully realized this vision.”