Kharadi soc residents keep nearby road’s trees drip-irrigated through the lockdownVijay ChavanSimple use of overhead tank, pipe laid till stretch of greenery planted by the PMC ensures that it flourishes despite lack of official maintenanceThe state government had launched its Green Maharashtra drive with an aim to plant 50 crore trees. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had also set its own target to plant around three lakh trees — and accordingly, had also executed the plan by planting more trees than this target. Several open spaces and pavements were converted into green patches. However, amid the unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown since last year, maintenance of these plants has been majorly affected. Several saplings have died due to dehydration, as there was no financial arrangement made to water and tend to them during these months. However, over at the Tuscan Estate Housing Society in Kharadi, where around 400 flat owners reside, things have gone a bit differently. Over the last whole year, they have not allowed a single tree to languish and die on the 150-metre public road next to their society, beside the Radisson Blu Hotel. In fact, to save the PMC trees, these residents have laid a drip irrigation pipeline from their society’s building terrace right up to the pavements. They also ensure a supply of water twice a day to the flora without fail. And, the result is visible. The mortality of the trees is zero and all of them have grown to more than 10 feet in height, making the stretch look verdant, lush and beautiful. Surprisingly, the effort they took is extremely simple and replicable. The residents merely used their common sense and connected an additional supply pipe to their recycled water tank located on the 22-storeyed building’s terrace, which was regularly being used to flush their toilets. This huge gravity force not only saves on electricity charges, but the recycled water also saves precious sources of water. Moreover, intact elements of recycled water also work as natural fertilisers. The residents spent only Rs 20,000 on this one-time infrastructure, making small contributions from their monthly maintenance and some individual donations. Tuscan Estate Housing Society residents (above) funded this initiative themselves; the pipeline (top, L) from their tank to the trees (top, R) uses recycled water in steady supply; PIC: RAHUL DESHMUKHTuscan Estate Housing Society residents (above) funded this initiative themselves; the pipeline (top, L) from their tank to the trees (top, R) uses recycled water in steady supply; PIC: RAHUL DESHMUKHThe idea was the brainchild of 65-year-old resident Dr Umesh Bakane, who retired from an MNC as a fertiliser expert and now works in precasting constructions. He said, “We had noticed that the saplings are being planted every year in the same pit or pavement and dying in a few months due to neglect. We also noticed that the saplings next to the road connected to Magarpatta also faced a similar fate. Many of us suggested taking the responsibility to manually water the plants on a rotational basis. But this was not a sustainable idea. We then decided to expand the network of drip irrigation being used within the society premises. Many like-minded residents supported the idea and executed it without much effort.” Another resident, techie Vivek Gupta, said, “The maintenance staff of the society operate the drip facility, so we are not spending additionally on hiring. Software engineer Vivek Agrawal said, “Even if there is water scarcity across the city, plants on this road never starve. Hardly a few hundred litres of water are used to keep the entire stretch green.” Retired banker Ashok Agrawal added, “Pune city was once known as a Pensioner’s Paradise and hill station. It is now the responsibility of each Punekar to maintain greenery for bringing down temperatures and regaining the lost status of the city.” Similarly, retired HR professional Guruprasad Mahatme said, “There are newly built pavements across this road. We also want to reach those stretches so that more trees can be saved from dying.” Said another techie resident, George Mundackel, “This model could be replicated by other housing societies, too. It will also save our tax money being spent by PMC on re-plantation of trees at the same spots, and further save on precious natural resources like tanker water.” On part of the authorities, PMC chief garden superintendent and Tree Authority member-secretary Ashok Ghorpade said, “This is a unique and innovative idea developed by citizens. We appreciate such efforts from PMC. Such citizen participation is only going to make the city greener and more environment-friendly.” He added that PMC is also taking all possible efforts to save such trees by making arrangements for water tankers to tend to them, with the help of NGOs and civic funds.
