Pune’s New Botanical Garden to Preserve Endemic Species of Maharashtra

Pune, 27th August 2024: The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is set to inaugurate a botanical garden in Mundhwa, Pune, spanning 44 acres and dedicated to preserving the state’s endemic plant species. The garden will feature over 400 species of plants native to India, with 50 of them being exclusively endemic to Maharashtra.

The upcoming “Mundhwa Botanical Garden” will serve as a sanctuary for these species, including the endangered Shiv Suman flower, a plant with historical significance to Maharashtra. “During our surveys over the years, we noticed that many plant species we once encountered were no longer present on subsequent visits. We realized that increasing human activities in these habitats were threatening the survival of local endemic species,” explained A. Benniamin, Scientist F and Head of the BSI’s Western Regional Centre.

The garden will not only focus on Maharashtra’s flora but will also include species from Karnataka, such as the endangered nutmeg (Myristica magnifica), the blistering varnish tree (Holigarna grahamii), the blackboard tree (Alstonia venenata), wild nutmeg (Knema attenuata), and Syzygium stocksii, all of which are native to southern and western India.

The project, initiated in 2023, involved extensive research by BSI scientists who surveyed the Western Ghats across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa. Seeds of endemic plants from these regions were collected, cultured, and grown into saplings in a controlled lab environment. Once stable, these saplings were transplanted into the garden to continue their growth.

“This initiative is crucial for conserving plant species that might face extinction due to ongoing human interference,” Benniamin added.

The Mundhwa Botanical Garden is poised to become a vital centre for the conservation of the region’s unique botanical heritage, ensuring that these species are preserved for future generations.