In Persia, Cyrus the Great, 2500 years ago perceived the necessity of improving human health and bringing about a feeling of calmness, by CREATING a Garden, in the middle of his capital at Pasaragadae in the province of Shiraz. The Japanese also believe in nature therapy treatments and techniques to improve an individual’s mental and physical health; an example of nature therapy is forest bathing or Shinrin Yoku, garden therapy, Horticultural therapy, Kneipp Therapy. Taking a cue, from this in the COVID-19 times we felt, that we all need to effectuate this and it would be ideal to have a variety. The Team Members decided to plant different types of greenery - shrubs, plants, creepers, etc, keeping in mind social distancing norms, wherever possible in Pune. Members were requested to plant in their neighbourhoods, not in their houses as it had to be for the benefit of the community. The project was initiated as a Joint Project with Rotary Club of Poona Downtown and the Inner Wheel Club of Poona Downtown. We have got encouraging participation from all our members. Till date we have planted over 300 plants. Starting with our President Phiroze and First Lady,Shereen (10), Yezdi and Prochi (16), Shubra and Rathin Sinha (100), Vikram and Pinky Mehmi (16), Smita Jaiswal and Sumita Guha (25), Smita Jauhri and Sujata Malkani (30), Pradeep and Kanta Munot (11), Vidya Naik (10), Asis and Ipsita Ray(10), Sangeeta Wagh (10), Rashida Bharianwala (15), Sunita and Richard Lobo (10), Pammi and Harcharan (15), Aruna Rathi (5), Sunita Lobo(10), Anil and me (40). Tree plantation drive took place on Monday, 7 September 2020, at the Koregaon Park Police Station. Our club was represented by Meena & Rtn.Anil Latey, Promil Aggarwal and Deepika and Rtn Anil Chadda. There were a number of Inner Wheel ladies including President Aparna Pradhan. A couple of social workers: Mr Babu & Mrs Vanita Wagaskar (who arranged for a number of saplings) and the Senior Police Inspector Mr Nitin Patki with some of the police staff also graced the event. Rtn. Aruna Rathi, Rtn. Supriya Banerjea, Ann Manju Mookerji and Ann Nandita Nabar could not be present but were actively involved and funded the project which involved providing trees, mud and pots. A number of Shankhasur saplings were also planted. The Drive is still going on as more members have promised to undertake the activity in their vicinity. We are happy to say Pune is going Greener with this.
Start Date | 01-08-2020 |
End Date | 07-09-2020 |
Project Cost | 10000 |
Rotary Volunteer Hours | 200 |
No of direct Beneficiaries | 5000 |
Partner Clubs | IWC Poona Downtown, |
Non Rotary Partners | Social Workers: Mr Babu & Mrs Vanita Wagaskar |
Project Category | Environment Protection |