The Vipassana Research Institute, Igatpuri has signed an agreement with the state forest department to adopt 200 acres of reserve forest land.
The Vipassana Research Institute, Igatpuri has signed an agreement with the state forest department to adopt 200 acres of reserve forest land under the Joint Forest Management scheme.
“All the reserve forest land surrounding the institute has lost tree cover due to various reasons like illegal grazing and illicit tree cutting,” said Dayanand Pai, trustee of the institute. The institute proposes to increase tree cover in the area.
Though Igatpuri gets maximum rainfall in the state, the town always reel under severe water shortage. “Since there is virtually no tree cover, all the water drains down to Vaitarna river and is subsequently supplied to Mumbai,” said Pai.
Premji Sawala, another trustee, said that forest has unique importance in meditation.
“The desired tranquillity is best achieved if there is thick forest cover around,” he said.
The trustees approached VK Mohan, conservator of forests, Nashik, and put the proposal to adopt the land. Since the forest department lacks in adequate resources to manage and protect the tree cover, the proposal was promptly accepted and it was decided to hand over the land to the institute. “It is a welcome proposal which will help the forest department also,” said Mohan.
“Plantation will begin soon and we will try to complete it before monsoon,” said Sawala. Once fully grown, the tree cover will prove to be highly beneficial for Igatpuri as well as Mumbai as far as water requirement is concerned.
“It has been observed that ground water level in the area has reduced remarkably creating a serious problem for the civic administration and general public. The problem is so bad that the town gets water once in two days,” said Pai, adding: “We expect to solve this problem by rejuvenating ground water sources with tree plantation.”
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