Warkari Pilgrims Launch Vrikshavari Tree-Planting Drive From Saswad
On Sunday morning, Warkari pilgrims and volunteers launched the fourth phase of the 'Vrikshavari' green initiative, a 12-day tree-planting drive commencing from Saswad along the historic Alandi–Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage route. The group aims to plant approximately 500 saplings during the annual Palkhi procession period to promote environmental conservation and create a sustainable green corridor.
The annual Palkhi procession, which carries the sacred padukas (footwear) of Sant Dnyaneshwar, is scheduled to take place from 7 July to 24 July. The Vrikshavari group is leveraging the spiritual significance of this centuries-old pilgrimage to foster ecological awareness. Over the next 12 days, volunteers and organizers will plant and care for saplings along the route.
For this year's drive, the organizers decided to alter their methodology by switching from seedballs to saplings. Seedballs are small spheres made of organic material that enclose plant seeds, designed to germinate during the monsoon using the nutrients within the ball.
Rasika Waghamale, a member of the Vrikshavari team, explained that tracking the exact locations where seedballs were dispersed and assessing their survival rates had proved too difficult for the organizers.
To address this, the group is now planting saplings exclusively at sites that have a reliable water source nearby. To ensure the long-term survival of the plants, local residents in the villages where the Warkaris halt overnight have partnered with the campaign to help nurture and care for the saplings.
On the first day of the drive, volunteers covered the stretch between Saswad and Jejuri, where they planted 100 saplings. However, a prolonged dry spell has created challenges for the initiative.
Waghamale stated that the team limited Sunday's planting to 100 saplings due to the lack of rainfall. She added that the organizers will decide whether to increase the pace of the plantation drive based on how the monsoon behaves in the coming days.
