A garden being redesigned amid water shortages
“The aim is to gradually move towards climate-resilient, water-efficient and ecologically sustainable gardens while conserving existing mature trees and green cover,” said a senior civic official. Wherever feasible, we are reducing water-intensive ornamental plants and excessive lawn areas, encouraging drip irrigation and other water-efficient systems, and promoting mulching to retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation,” said Ghorpade. Pune: Residents in areas such as Kondhwa, Bhugaon, Kharadi, Baner and Hadapsar are redesigning their home gardens by replacing water-intensive plants with drought-resistant varieties, with water conservation becoming a priority amid growing concerns over shortages. The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) garden department is also working towards developing more climate-resilient and water-efficient public gardens. Residents are increasingly opting for native plants, succulents, cacti and other low-maintenance species that can survive with minimal watering. Some are also reducing lawn areas, which require frequent watering, and replacing them with gravel landscaping, mulching and hardy shrubs. Meanwhile, the PMC’s garden department has been increasing the proportion of native trees in public gardens over the past few months. The department is encouraging the use of drought-tolerant, native and locally adapted plant species that require comparatively less water and can withstand Pune’s climatic conditions. “We are promoting indigenous and drought-resistant tree, shrub and ground-cover species. The department is also exploring the reuse of treated wastewater for garden irrigation and selecting plant species based on their water requirements, survival rates and suitability to local conditions.