VANAJA_ Nature club at BNCA organises session on ‘Social Forestry’
Pune : There is a common misconception that forest is only about planting trees. We must understand the importance of specific ecosystems and conserve them, opined Vivek Khandekar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator, Social Forestry at Indian Forest Service (IFS) . He was speaking at a session on Social Forestry organized by the Vanaja Club at MKSSS’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture for Women( BNCA ). Prof. Asmita Joshi, founder and Coordinator Vanaja club at BNCA, Dr. Swati Sahasrabuddhe and Prof. Neha Adkar, Department of Landscape Architecture, students and members of Vanaja Club were present on this occasion.
Citing the examples of grasslands, wetlands which is a very specific ecosystem, Mr. Khandekar said forest is not only about planting trees. As landscape architects we must observe what nature has allowed to come. We should not go against nature. Grassland is misunderstood as waste land. It is part of the ecosystem and has much higher biodiversity.
Vivek Khandekar in his presentation gave information about various initiatives of the forest department including setting up model nurseries, linear plantations, plantation on barren land, bio- diversity parks etc.
Vivek Khandekar said that currently we have roughly 20% of geographical area as forest in Maharashtra. He said Social Forestry is one of the three verticals of forest department which Includes Territorial and Wildlife as other two wings. The social forestry looks after greening on non- forest land.
