Maharashtra rolls out process for permanent transfer of Mundhwa land parcel to BSI

PUNE: The district administration has initiated the process to permanently transfer 44.5 acres of govt land in Mundhwa in Pune to the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) following recommendations of the inquiry committee led by additional chief secretary Vikas Kharge that probed the controversial deal involving survey no. 88/1 to 88/26, currently on a 50-year lease with BSI, valid until 2038. State revenue minister Chandrakant Bawankule tabled the report on Wednesday.

District collector Jitendra Dudi told TOI that the permanent transfer process has begun. "A detailed proposal to transfer the land from lease land to permanent holder has been initiated. The entire process is expected to be completed in two months," he said.

Established in 1955, BSI's Western Regional Centre in Pune leads floristic research across the Western Ghats and the west coast states, housing one of the richest herbarium repositories in western India along with specialised research laboratories and conservation facilities.

Its director Kanad Das said the permanent transfer of the land parcel would significantly strengthen their initiatives focused on endangered plant species of the Western Ghats which is among the world's biodiversity hotspots.

Speaking to TOI on Thursday, Das said the institute had approached the state govt two months ago seeking permanent ownership of the land. He emphasized that the BSI's Mundhwa campus has been carrying out exemplary work in the conservation and scientific study of threatened plant species.

"Strengthening this project is crucial, and govt's support is welcome," Das added. He noted that the transfer of ownership would enable the institute to undertake long-term research activities without administrative uncertainty, particularly in view of earlier concerns regarding land transactions where BSI was a leaseholder.

The institute functions under the ministry of environment, forests and climate change and plays a key role in plant exploration, documentation and conservation across the country through projects such as an ex-situ conservation centre and thematic gardens.