Pune: Terrace Garden Blossoms from Waste At PMC’s Kondhwa-Yeolewadi Ward Office

Katraj, 2nd May 2025: In a remarkable eco-friendly initiative, a lush green terrace garden has been developed in the Katraj area using wet waste, kitchen scraps, and vegetable leftovers. Spearheaded by Sai Janseva Pratishthan in collaboration with the Kondhwa-Yeolewadi Regional Office, the garden spans 800 sq. ft. on the terrace of the regional office and is filled with fruit-bearing, flowering, and ornamental plants.

The garden features drumstick, bitter gourd, orange, papaya, bauhinia, cassia, champa, hibiscus, periwinkle, canna, tagar, roses, bamboo, sugarcane, and decorative shrubs, all flourishing vibrantly.

The garden was inaugurated on Wednesday by Pune Municipal Corporation’s Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., in the presence of PMC Deputy Commissioner Jayant Bhosekar, Assistant Commissioner Laxman Kadbane, Sai Janseva Pratishthan founder Suraj Lokhande, President Geeta Mohorkar, and many municipal staff and citizens.

Prithviraj B.P. stated, “This garden, created by reusing discarded items like tires, drums, and bricks, is truly beautiful. It not only grows fruits, flowers, and vegetables but also generates fresh oxygen. Wet household waste is being composted here, reducing overall garbage. Citizens should follow this model and grow similar gardens at home or on terraces, using wet waste as compost. Only dry waste should be given to the municipality. If everyone participates in waste management, the decentralization of garbage disposal will help keep the city clean while providing healthy food options. The PMC will always support such environmentally friendly initiatives. I commend Sai Janseva Pratishthan and the regional office for this wonderful effort.”

Geeta Mohorkar added, “With PMC’s support, similar gardens have been developed on the terraces of regional offices at Sinhagad Road, Dhankawadi-Sahakarnagar, and Kondhwa-Yeolewadi. Wet waste is composted and used for planting trees in 160 drums of 200 liters each. Around 600 to 700 kg of wet waste is processed daily. Recycled drums have also been turned into seating furniture, making waste management cost-effective, space-efficient, and timely. If citizens create such gardens in their homes or societies, it will greatly help reduce the growing waste problem in the city.”

Suraj Lokhande shared that the Sai Janseva Pratishthan has been active across Pune for the last ten years, organizing various educational, social, environmental, and youth empowerment programs. Waste management has been a key focus area of the foundation’s efforts.”