Pune: In order to increase green cover and create awareness about the rich cultural heritage of the country, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched “Sanskriti”-themed project under the union government’s Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) programme. Urban landscape designer Aseem Gokarn Harwansh, the consultant for the PMC’s Green Space Project, said, “The main objective, under AMRUT, is to increase the green cover in the city… based on a certain theme to attract people and create awareness.”
“There are a lot of stories about trees and their significance in the Vedas. The idea is to put signages at the planted indigenous trees. Other civic bodies are also working on improving the green cover in their respective jurisdictions, under different themes.” she added.
Ashok Ghorpade, garden superintendent, the PMC, said, “The union government has approved the expansion of the civic project of Green Space and Park under AMRUT. The cost of the project is Rs two crore, 50 per cent of which will be paid by the union government, while the state government and the PMC will contribute 25 per cent each.”
“The PMC would plant around 20,000 trees of native species in a 15-acre plot between the two canals passing through Sinhagad Road. The land belongs to the State Irrigation department and the PMC has signed an agreement to lease it for a long term. The PMC would plant trees and maintain it. The project would help prevent encroachment on the land and increase the green cover,” he added.
“The PMC wants to develop an ‘Oxygen Park’ at the location, leaving space only for a suitable surface for pedestrians. The union government has ordered the PMC to ensure that at least 80 per cent of the trees survive.
This is the third such proposal approved by the union government. Amol Rudrake, the junior engineer in the PMC, said, “The actual work on the first proposal is 80 percent complete, while the tender process for the second proposal has started.”