Pune: Around 70 residents of Elina Living, Raheja Vista and neighbouring housing societies along the NIBM Road stretch came together on August 15 for a cleanliness and plantation drive at a Pune Municipal Corporation-managed open plot opposite Elina Living Housing Society.“For the past two to three years, this plot had become a dumping ground. The waste caused a foul smell and attracted mosquitoes. There were late-night drinking and fights, with people sometimes troubling local residents. This worried us and made the area feel unsafe. We took upon ourselves and cleaned the plot while planted trees so it does not go back to becoming a garbage dumping ground,” said local resident Kishore Duseja.Duseja added the surrounding housing societies accounted for more than 7,000 flats, but offered few amenities, particularly for the senior citizens. “Lonkar Garden is nearly 2 km away, which is difficult for many older residents to access. Now that this plot has been cleaned and planted with saplings, we hope it can become a space where senior citizens can go for walks.”Naveen Joshi, another local resident, said the dumping had persisted despite residents raising concerns. “The plot had become a garbage dumping ground for the last two to three years. We wanted to reclaim the space for the community.”The residents planted more than 250 trees and saplings, including banyan, peepal, neem and muchkund. Each sapling was dedicated to a soldier as a tribute to the courage, sacrifice and service of the armed forces.Botanist and local resident Bhupesh Sharma said the plantation was intended to ensure the plot remains clean and green. “This is not just about planting trees. It is about creating a cleaner, safer environment for the residents living in the surrounding societies.”Residents said they had repeatedly approached authorities, with senior officials from PMC visiting the area two or three times over the past two years. They now hope the PMC will support the initiative and help maintain the plot as a clean, green public space rather than allowing it to become a dumping ground again.
