29-06-2025
This plant-dad does all he can to save tree cover on Pune's hills
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Pune: Amey Godse is a software engineer by profession, but at heart, he is first a plant-dad. Since 2014, he has dedicated every spare minute to protecting trees and saplings on Pune's hills.
His day starts at 6am, when he makes his first stop at Taljai to check on saplings, water them and remove weeds. He then goes to the office to do some software engineering. After work, he's back at Taljai to finish watering the plants and wrap up any tasks he couldn't do earlier in the day.
"Plantation is important but ensuring the saplings survive is even more crucial," said Godse, who is a trustee member of NGO Green Hills Group, established in 2004 to protect forest spaces in the city's urban areas.
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"Our elders have always been working on planting trees and protecting the hills that Pune is so proud of. I am simply following in their footsteps. There are multiple plantation drives that various groups hold throughout the year. But once the drive is done, there is no thought given to those saplings. This is what I want to change," he added.
Godse started with Chatushrungi hill and shifted his focus to Taljai in Dec 2023.
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So far, Green Hills Group has ensured the survival of over 15,000 trees on Chatushrungi alone.
"Our previous generations have for years taken water in cans to the top of the hill to ensure plants are being watered. Now, we start by first clearing the plantation area and removing any weeds or unwanted invasive species. Next, we make arrangements for a regular water source, followed by digging pits. This makes ensuring their survival easier," he said.
"Deweeding" is crucial as it can prevent forest fires from spreading, especially in the summer months, he said.
According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Maharashtra recorded 1,245 fires between Jan 1 and April 7 this year — 515 more than those during the same period last year.
Godse said he relies heavily on corporate social responsibility funding to conduct plantation drives and to increase the saplings' survival rate.
"Recently, a third-party audit conducted by a company that had given us funding found that 94% of the saplings planted on Taljai in 2024 survived. These figures are not just encouraging for the companies, but also for volunteers, who brave the heat and spend their weekends on the hills, planting saplings" Godse added.
The NGO also consults with senior botanists to understand the kind of soil required for particular plants, and the specific species that must be planted based on the location.
This helps increase their chance of survival. Only species local to Pune hills are planted, he added.
"This year, the plantation target is 1,500 on Taljai. The soil work has been completed, and the drip system was installed next. Plantation is now in progress. Each year, the load increases slightly. Not only do we plant more trees, but we also look after those sapling planted in previous years. The plants become self-reliant only after five years, " Godse said.
The NGO does not buy saplings from nurseries that use chemical fertilisers as these plants have a lesser chance of survival when moved to different soil. "Tekdis have a harsher environment. So, the kind of saplings you choose also determines their life-span," he added.
Multiple groups across the city are doing their best to increase the green cover, Godse said. He added that each effort is equally important. After all, one of the biggest problems faced by Pune during summers, especially this year — unbearable heat — can be attributed to the city's depleting tree cover, whether they are axed for development work or uprooted for other reasons.
"Not only those who are a part of the group, but often residents living in areas around the hills or locals who come to the hills for their walks help us," Godse said.
"We have had RSS volunteers, college students and even citizens who wish to spend their birthdays or anniversaries in nature lend a helping hand. Forest department officials are also cooperative, and they even give us saplings on some occasions. It is a combined effort," he added.
