The Pune project, which took off some three months back is now being showcased as the model for other corporations for setting up cement encroachment walls, preservation of exotic species, water and soil conservation, plantation of trees, and checking dams. When contacted, Pachpute said that the forest department had taken up PMC as a pilot project and work for the same should be completed in three years time. “The need to protect urban forests is very important and the green city project will now be replicated in all cities with the respective corporations funding the project,”said Pachpute.

The Pune model which was put forth by deputy conservator of forests Ashok Khadse with the help of Lotus environment consultancy will see 2887.86 hectares of forest land in Pune urban area being taken up for “protection”. Khadse said that work has already commenced in Vetal tekdi, Warje and Pachgaon Parvati areas and the entire project will be covered in three years time. With PMC sponsoring the entire project, Rs 2.5 crore has been disbursed and Pune Municipal Commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi has assured all support to this project. “The work undertaken will ensure that these green patches are protected. It is essential in the wake of more constructions coming up in the urban areas. The project aims at protecting the exotic species of flora and fauna as well as promoting water and soil conservation techniques. The check dams and nullah check points too are very important to prevent flooding,” he said.

Khadse added that talks are also on to extend the project to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) as they have eight acres of forest land, which can be taken up in the project.