50,000 fruit trees to take root in Purandar village

Pune: As many as 500 types of trees were planted at Panwadi village in Purandar taluka by One Less, Finolex and Mukul Madhav Foundation along with science technology park of Savitribai Phule Pune University. These organisations will be planting

50

,000 fruit saplings over the next three years.

Rajendra Jagdale, director-general of the science technology park, Raj Luis, president of human resource department, Finolex, Prashat Wakre, Nalini Lole, chairperson of Purandar panchayat samiti, Pooja Kanwar and Aarti Sood from the science technology park, Vaibhav Nimgire, project coordinator Sanmati Shedgar, sarpanch Abasaheb Lole, deputy sarpanch Mauli Bhise, former sarpanch Sushma Bhise, gramsevak Sunita Sapkal, and villagers were present. They planted 500 saplings of mango, jackfruit, custard apple, amla and guava among others.

Jagdale said they would start a fruit processing unit in the village. They will provide scientific guidance and technical assistance to the villagers. “Many farmers have given their land for the plantation. Villagers’ efforts towards nature conservation are laudable,” he added.

A 25Hp solar water pump has been installed in the village. These initiatives are supporting over 670 families with water for drinking and for their farms. “It is a pleasure to see both environmental conservation and women’s empowerment happening through these initiatives,” Ritu Prakash Chabriya, managing director of Mukul Madhav Foundation.