Pune: NIBM Oxygen Park Crosses Major Milestone as Citizens Plant 2,500 Saplings in Three Days

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi and Priyanshu Banerjee

Kondhwa, 19th July 2026: What began as a citizens’ vision to create an urban forest has rapidly evolved into one of Pune’s largest community-led environmental movements. The NIBM Oxygen Park initiative has achieved a major milestone, with volunteers planting 2,500 native saplings in just three days, making it one of the city’s biggest community plantation drives.

Developed in collaboration with the Forest Department, the project aims to transform nearly one acre of land near NIBM Road into a thriving native forest through scientific plantation methods, long-term ecological planning, and sustained community participation.

The initiative draws inspiration from the Miyawaki afforestation method, which involves densely planting multiple layers of indigenous tree species to recreate natural forest ecosystems. The NIBM Oxygen Park seeks to establish a self-sustaining urban forest that promotes faster growth, enhances biodiversity, improves groundwater recharge, and strengthens long-term ecological resilience.

According to Kiran Karnam, overall lead of the NIBM Forest Volunteer Group, the plantation drive has exceeded expectations due to the overwhelming support of citizens, volunteers, and government agencies.

“We have successfully completed the plantation of around 2,500 saplings in just three days. Our target is to complete the remaining plantation over the next three to four weeks. Once finished, this community forest will have nearly 30,000 native trees, making it one of the largest citizen-led urban forest initiatives in Pune,” Karnam said.

He also appreciated the support extended by government authorities.

“The response from the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Forest Department has been extremely encouraging. Forest Department officials and on-site workers have been incredibly supportive throughout the plantation process. Together, we are creating a beautiful forest for future generations.”

Karnam added that favourable weather conditions have further boosted the project.
“The rains have arrived at the right time, and the newly created pond within the project site is gradually filling with rainwater. Everything is progressing according to plan, and we are delighted to see the project taking shape exactly as envisioned.”

A Long-Term Ecological Restoration Project

Unlike conventional plantation drives that end after a single day, the NIBM Oxygen Park has been conceived as a long-term ecological restoration initiative. Volunteers are committed not only to planting trees but also to ensuring their survival through scientific maintenance, regular monitoring, water conservation measures, and biodiversity management.

The project incorporates dense plantation of native species, along with rainwater harvesting structures, contour trenches, groundwater recharge systems, and long-term irrigation planning to maximise sapling survival and establish a healthy, self-sustaining forest ecosystem.

Leadership Behind the Initiative
The project is being coordinated by dedicated volunteer teams responsible for various aspects of the initiative:
Kiran Karnam – Overall Lead
Ruchira Karnam – Communications and Public Outreach
Jitendra Narsian – Management
Zuber Shaikh – Management
Christopher Valerian Gnanamalai – Digital Enablement
Tarang Joshi – Water Management
Shweta Solapurkar – Active Volunteer
Vishwas Joshi (NRRF) – Volunteer Coordination

Towards a 30,000-Tree Urban Forest

The proposed forest will feature thousands of native tree species suited to Pune’s climate and biodiversity. The site has been divided into ecological zones that will include species such as Neem, Arjun, Kadamb, Jambhul, Umbar, Vad, Pimpal, Karanj, Pangara, Salai, Palas, and Ain.

A newly created pond, together with rainwater harvesting structures and contour trenches, is expected to improve groundwater recharge while providing a sustainable water source for the growing forest.

The initiative has brought together hundreds of residents from Bramha Majestic and neighbouring housing societies in the NIBM area. Volunteers continue to participate in plantation activities, maintenance planning, monitoring, and awareness campaigns, demonstrating how collective community action can contribute meaningfully to urban environmental restoration.

With 2,500 saplings already planted in just three days and thousands more scheduled to be planted over the coming weeks, the NIBM Oxygen Park is steadily progressing towards its goal of creating a 30,000-tree urban forest inspired by the Miyawaki concept. If achieved, it will rank among Pune’s largest community-led afforestation initiatives, contributing to cleaner air, richer biodiversity, improved groundwater recharge, and a lasting green legacy for future generations.