This year’s wari moves towards greener pastures; plantation drive to be undertaken on widened Mangalwedha-Pandharpur stretch

9,200 SAPLINGS TO BE PLANTED BY WARKARIS

Plantation drive to be undertaken on widened Mangalwedha-Pandharpur stretch, where the hundreds of trees that were axed used to provide shade to the marching pilgrims

At the alarmingly rapid rate that the city’s tree cover is disappearing, some may say that all we may have left is faith in prayer. And now, one of the most massive religious cavalcades to annually visit Pune — the Pandharpur Wari — is making a remarkable step in the green direction.

This year, the warkari community has decided to plant a whopping 9,200 saplings along a 23-kilometre stretch that forms a part of their route. This patch, which falls between Mangalwedha and Pandharpur, is also the first newly-widened road that will see plantation along the entire expanse.

The wari processions are scheduled to start later this month, on June 24. Over a million pilgrims will march to Pandharpur, weeks after the Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi departs from Alandi and the Sant Tukaram Palkhi begins at Dehu.

The plantation is to be done by a number of dindis (warkari groups) under the ‘Harit Wari’ (green wari) banner. For this cause, the Solapur district administration and social forestry department have also already extended support, with the latter providing the saplings. The initiative is being undertaken to bolster the state government’s aim, announced last year, to plant 33 crore trees across Maharashtra.

Devotees walking with approximately 140 palkhis from various parts of the state are expected to participate. “The Mangalwedha-Pandharpur stretch hosts palkhis of Sant Damajipant, Sant Chokhamela, Sant Kanhopatra and other saints. Road-widening work has recently been completed on this route, which demanded the sacrifice of hundreds of trees,” explained event organiser Shivaji More, who is a member of the Vitthal Rukmini Mandir Samiti.

More elaborated that the warkaris, who walk for miles on the strength of their devotion, often seek shelter under the trees along the road to rest, organise small events and pray. “Today, the road is barren and no longer offers the shade of the greenery lost in tree-cutting. Hence, it has been decided to conduct a massive plantation here as a pilot project,” he asserted, adding that if successful, the same efforts will be replicated along their entire route, wherever tree cover has been lost.

The warkari community member informed that plantation drives by his ilk are common. “Many plantations have been undertaken at Dehu and other parts of the wari route. However, it is the first time thousands of saplings are being planted on this scale, making the initiative unique,” More said.

Besides the warkaris, private institutions like schools and colleges will also engage in planting the saplings along both sides of the stretch. The volunteers will also ensure that the trees — which include native species like peepal, banyan, tamarind, neem and more — are taken care of for the next three years, until they become self-reliant.

More said a formal proposal was made to the district administration to seek necessary permissions, and received a nod in March this year.

Informing that the district administration has agreed to provide tree guards for all the trees in support of this cause, district planning officer Sarjerao Darade added, “We will take care that the said saplings are provided with water and other protection for their survival. In future, if additional widening of the road is proposed, it will be ensured that the plantation on at least one side survives.”