Nashik Municipal Corporation plans to rope in citizens for garden maintenance across city

Nashik: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is preparing to launch a citizen-participation model to improve the upkeep of gardens across the city, enhance maintenance standards and ensure long‑term sustainability.Under the initiative, residents living near municipal gardens would be encouraged to take charge of routine maintenance, while the civic body would fund essential works. NMC currently manages nearly 1,000 gardens across its six divisions. To begin with, a select group of gardens would be handed over to residents on a pilot basis, with the model being scaled up in phases depending on its success.Municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri presented the proposal during last week's standing committee meeting, stating that while contractors were currently handling tasks like removing dried leaves and grass, involving citizens could significantly improve accountability and the overall quality of upkeep. Khatri urged the residents to form committees dedicated to repair and maintenance activities, adding that organisations and self-help groups could also participate.Her statement followed repeated complaints from standing committee members about inadequate maintenance by private contractors. Khatri assured them that the participatory model would help enhance the standard of work and ensure better care of green spaces. "Initially, a few gardens will be managed through citizen groups, and the remaining will gradually be brought under the model in phases," she said.According to NMC officials, most gardens in the city are currently maintained by private contractors, with only a limited number under direct municipal supervision. To strengthen its green infrastructure, the civic body has allocated substantial funds for the garden department in its municipal budget. This includes provisions for tree plantation drives, routine maintenance and related initiatives.In the 2026-27 budget, NMC has earmarked Rs 25 crore for the garden department, of which around Rs 9 crore will go toward citywide tree plantation efforts aimed at expanding Nashik's green cover. The initiative is expected to boost community engagement and enhance civic participation.