The Botanical Survey of India’s Western Regional Centre in Pune has been hard at work preparing to unveil the ‘Mundhwa Botanical Garden,’ a massive 44-acre project located in Mundhwa. This new garden is set to showcase over 400 plant species indigenous to India, with 50 species unique to Maharashtra.
Researchers from BSI have highlighted the importance of conserving the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats, home to 4,900 plant species, 1,750 of which are endemic. The Mundhwa Botanical Garden aims to counteract the decline of these species due to human interference and habitat destruction.
A. Benniamin, Scientist E and head of the BSI Western Regional Centre, stressed the garden’s critical role in conserving endangered species. In an interview with Times of India, Benniamin emphasized the garden’s potential to serve as a repository for endangered plants and a hub for educational outreach.
The project began in 2023 with an extensive survey of the Western Ghats across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa. Seeds from endemic plants were collected, cultivated in a lab, sprouted into saplings, and are now being planted in the new garden.
In addition to Maharashtra’s endemic flora, the Mundhwa Botanical Garden will feature endangered species from Karnataka such as Nutmeg and Blistering Varnish Tree, as well as other notable species like Wild Nutmeg and Syzygium stockssi.
The Mundhwa Botanical Garden will be a valuable addition to Pune’s green spaces, offering a sanctuary for endangered species and a vital resource for botanical research and public education.
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