TO ENCOURAGE ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation, the Rotary Club of Nagpur Elite, in collaboration with the Green Living Foundation and Neutral Initiative, has launched the Native Plants Adoption Programme, an initiative aimed at promoting the plantation and conservation of indigenous plant species. Sana Pandit, the Immediately Past President said, “Indigenous trees support a wide range of birds, butterflies, bees, insects and other wildlife, while helping prevent soil erosion, improve groundwater recharge, enhance pollination, reduce air pollution and strengthen climate resilience.” The organisers expressed concern over the increasing use of exotic and invasive ornamental species such as eucalyptus, gulmohar, alstonia (saptaparni), acacia, casuarina, bougainvillea, lantana and conocarpus. They said these species often fail to support local biodiversity and, in some cases, outcompete native vegetation, resulting in habitat loss and ecological imbalance.

 

As part of the initiative, the organisers have identified several native species for plantation and conservation, including Shalmali (Silk Cotton Tree), Bakul, Aakashneem, Putranjiva, Laxmanphal, Arjun, Red Sandalwood (Rakt Chandan), Ramphal, Behada, Mahua (Moh), Sarpagandha, Audumbar, Pangara, Kunti, Chichbilai, Chui Mui, Museli, Kahu, Vavadinga, Padal, Ghost Tree, Yellow and White Palas, Kumbhi, Nandruk, Shaunak and Prushnaparni. The organisers appealed to the public to actively participate in the movement by planting, nurturing and conserving native species, stressing that every indigenous tree planted today is an investment in a healthier and more resilient future.