Pune, 24th June 2026: As part of Van Mahotsav 2026, the Maharashtra Forest Department has completed preparations for its large-scale tree plantation campaign. As part of the state government's target of planting an additional 10 crore trees during 2026-27, nearly 30 lakh saplings will be planted across the Pune Forest Circle during the upcoming monsoon season.
The Pune Forest Circle, which includes the Pune, Junnar and Solapur forest divisions, will undertake plantation activities under the Atal Anandvan Ghan Van Yojana and the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) scheme. A total of 29.64 lakh saplings will be planted over 408.15 hectares of land.
According to Divisional Forest Officer Geeta Pawar, the initiative has been planned with a focus on addressing rising temperatures, climate change and the steady decline of green cover.
Of the total plantation target, around 26.10 lakh saplings will be planted using the Miyawaki method, while 3.53 lakh saplings will be planted under the CAMPA scheme.
In the Pune division, large-scale plantation work will be carried out in Saswad, Bhamburda, Velhe, Nasrapur and Vadgaon Maval areas, where nearly 20.40 lakh saplings will be planted across 68 hectares.
Additional plantation activities under the CAMPA scheme will be undertaken in Pune, Baramati, Shirur, Indapur, Daund, Vadgaon Maval and several forest ranges in Solapur district.
Pawar said, "Climate change, increasing temperatures and shrinking green cover remain major environmental challenges, making tree plantation and long-term maintenance of saplings essential. All pre-plantation work has been completed, and we are confident that the combined efforts of the Forest Department, local bodies, educational institutions, voluntary organisations and citizens will help achieve the state’s ambitious green cover goals."
The Forest Department has also emphasised that the campaign will focus not only on planting trees but also on ensuring their protection, maintenance and creating greater public awareness about environmental conservation.