PUNE: The forest department, in association with the Pune Municipal
Corporation, has undertaken an initiative to organize educational
programmes related to the environment in the city. Coordinated by the wildlife warden, Pune, the lineup includes educational as well as action-oriented activities on environmental issues – workshops, nature walks,
slideshows, bird watching, film shows, excursions, anti-plastic drives
along Mula-Mutha rivers, artificial bird nesting drive, among others.

The programme was inaugurated on the International Tiger Day on Sunday
with the screening of three films on tiger at the Indradhanushya
Environment Centre.

Citizens will also get the opportunity to
give their suggestions related to environment, which will be
communicated to concerned higher authority. Several schools will be
roped in for this three month long programme.Rajendra Kadam, deputy conservator of forest, told TOI that the idea is to introduce citizens to various facets of nature.

“We are targeting school students, youths and other citizens to create
awareness on environment. Experts from different fields will provide
information on medicinal plants, migratory birds, wildlife, endemic
species, native and exotic tree species, butterflies, and so on.
Excursions to historical places, parks and sanctuaries, forest,
important bird areas, among others, will be chalked out. All events are
open and free to all,” he said.

Anuj Khare, honorary wildlife
warden, Pune, pointed out that at present there is no dialogue between
the common man and the forest department.

“Thus, citizens will
be given an opportunity to voice out their concerns and suggestions
about environment related issues. Citizens can contact us at the
website, honararywildlifewardenpune.com,” Khare said.

He said
that there will be action- oriented programmes too like plastic drives
in Mula-Mutha river, artificial bird nesting drive, tree plantation
drive, among others. The joint forest management committees of Parvati
Pachgaon will help in gathering the school students from different
wards. The students will be involved in various activities like
excursions, bird watching, work-shops, nature walks, among others, he
added.