NGOs, private organisations to maintain urban jungles

NASHIK

: The civic body on Wednesday invited private organisations,

NGOs

and citizens to maintain the six devrais (

urban jungles

) that were inaugurated on February 16.

Pits will be dug for saplings that will be planted through citizens’ involvement before the rainy season.

The devrai concept, which involves planting indigenous trees in clusters and caring for it for maintaining environmental balance, is being implemented by actor Sayaji Shinde in various parts of the state. Nashik is the first city to have devrais whereas elsewhere the concept is implemented in the rural areas or outskirts of cities.

“We have called a meeting of various organisations, NGOs and citizens’ groups on Wednesday to identify those interested in maintaining the devrais,” said gardens superintendent Shivaji Amle. “The pits will be dug in summer and the plantation will be done in June. We will provide the saplings, they will plant and water them.”

Block plantation of indigenous trees will be done in a big garden in each of the six divisions. Later, smaller ones will be established in all the 31 wards. Some existing gardens will also be converted into devrais.

“People from the rural areas will also be coming. We will ask them to create devrais in rural areas. There are many lands of gram panchayats where block plantation can be done,” Amle said.

A tree census has found that there are 47 lakh trees in 124 species in the city. The NMC has appealed to every citizen to adopt one tree.


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