Last updated: February 2023
Wajre Urban Forest is Maharashtra state's first urban forestry project developed on the outskirts of Pune city (1, 2). This project was done in a collaboration involving the public, corporate, NGOs and governmental actors (3). A barren land of 16 hectares, also used as a dump yard by the nearby residents, belonging to the Maharashtra Forest Department, was taken by the TERRE Policy Centre in association with support from TATA Motors and Persistent Foundations as CSR Partners (1,3). The project was targeted to reduce air pollution and provide a site for the recreation and relaxation of urban residents of the city (4). A total of 9500 plants belonging to 23 indigenous plant species of 6-8 ft were planted (1,2). The plants have now transformed into trees 9-10 feet in height (1, 5). The park also provides the opportunity to engage citizens by the provision of adopting specific plants in your name (5). The park is frequented by morning and evening walkers, with approx. 1000-1500 people per day (1,3).
A view of the Smruti Van in Warje
https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/warje-urban-forest-to-be-role-model-for-200-such-forests-across-country-javadekar/story-yj0c461VGTLpAejSuH2nHL.html
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
Key challenges
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Effective management
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Project objectives
The project aims to:
-Develop barren land hill areas into lush green urban forest areas (1,2).
-Reduce air pollution (4).
-Provide citizens with a place for relaxation and recreation (2).
-Promote people's participation to ensure the sustainability of the project (2).
-Promote citizen engagement through provisions like 'adopting specific plant in your name' (1).
Implementation activities
-The project proceeded to restore a previously derelict area by planting 9500 plants in a 16ha degraded area (Ref. 1,4).
-It also included the construction of 2 huge water resources that are recharged by rainwater used for watering plants (Ref. 1), and 5 constructed water ponds (Ref. 2, 5)
-Regarding the planting efforts, attention was placed on planting indigenous species, such as "Banyan, Peepal, Sonchafa, Apta, Neem, Kanchan, Golden Bamboos, Badam, Kaat, Amla, Umbar" (Ref. 1).
-After project completion, “the Warje Urban Forest has become a role model for the rest of the country" (Ref. 2).
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
- Restore valued species
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Non-government organisation/Civil Society
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
TERRE Policy Centre, "legally recognized non-profit status” (Ref.3)", came up with the urban forestry initiative for which the Maharashtra State Forest Department provided the land. TATA Motors and Persistent Foundations were other collaborators (CSR) in the project (1). The project is recognised as an urban forestry model "which involves Public, Corporate, NGO and Government in the entire project “ (Ref.3), and local residents (Ref. 4).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Warje urban forest was developed under the ‘Nagar Van’ (“city forest”) scheme "with people’s participation and collaboration between the forest department, municipal bodies, NGOs, corporates and local residents” (Ref. 4).)
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Unknown
Type of funding
- Unknown
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Improved soil quality
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved stormwater management
- Green space and habitat
- Promotion of naturalistic styles of landscape design for urban development
- Increased green space area
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
- Restoration of derelict areas
Economic impacts
- Other
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Protection of natural heritage
- Education
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts, Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
(1) TERRE Policy Centre (unknown), Warje Urban Forestry. available at Source link (accessed 29-01-2023)
(2) Press Information Bureau (PIB) (2020), Warje Urban Forest in Pune now a role model for the country. available at Source link (accessed 29-01-2023)
(3) Equator Initiative(unknown), Urban forestry. available at Source link (accessed 29-01-2023)
(4) Hindustan Times (2020), Warje urban forest to be role model for 200 such forests across country: Javadekar, 07 June, viewed on 29 January 2023, Source link
(5) Punekar News (2020), Pune: Warje Urban Forest now a role model for the country, 04 June, viewed on 29 January 2023, Source link
(6) TERRE Policy Centre (2017), Warje Urban Forestry Biodiversity Report-2017. available at Source link (accessed 16-02-2023)
(2) Press Information Bureau (PIB) (2020), Warje Urban Forest in Pune now a role model for the country. available at Source link (accessed 29-01-2023)
(3) Equator Initiative(unknown), Urban forestry. available at Source link (accessed 29-01-2023)
(4) Hindustan Times (2020), Warje urban forest to be role model for 200 such forests across country: Javadekar, 07 June, viewed on 29 January 2023, Source link
(5) Punekar News (2020), Pune: Warje Urban Forest now a role model for the country, 04 June, viewed on 29 January 2023, Source link
(6) TERRE Policy Centre (2017), Warje Urban Forestry Biodiversity Report-2017. available at Source link (accessed 16-02-2023)
Wajre Urban Forest
https://terrepolicycentre.com/Warje-Urban-Forestry.asp
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the "NBS 2022" UNA Asian extension project funded by the Asia-Europe Foundation.