The PMC’s Tree Authority and Garden Department has organised a ‘Van Mahotsav’ at Sambhaji Raje Udyan on World Environment Day, which is observed on June 5. Saplings of native species are on sale at only 5 rupees each at Sambhaji Raje Udyan to increase the city’s green cover and to promote Indian plant species.

The distribution of saplings started on June 5 and will go on till August 15 at Sambhaji Garden on Jangli Maharaj road. The department will distribute the plants at a very low cost.

Native Indian plant saplings like Jamun, Ashoka, Neem, Palash, Tamhan, Putravanti, Nevar, Arjun, Karanj, Bakul, Buch, Muchkinda and many more are being sold at a minimal cost of ₹5.

The department plans to distribute 80,000 plants. Any person can get as many as 10 plants.

Ashok Ghorpade, the chief garden superintendent and member secretary of the tree authority department said, “The festival is organised to increase the green cover in the city. So, I encourage people to participate in this initiative in large numbers.”