Aurangabad, April 26:
Jhakas Pathar, a flora project proposed by Zilla Parishad's chief executive officer (CEO) Mangesh Gondawale, has gained momentum. Inspired by Konkan's Kaas Pathar (Plateau), the project aims at conserving or cultivating the wild and rare species of flowers and herbs in different parts of the district. Accordingly, the drone survey in this regard was held today in the vicinity of Aurangabad Caves and Goga Baba Tekdi.
The additional (CEO), Santosh Kavade, has confirmed today's survey. He said the office had also completed the survey on the surface of the hills at Bhendala and Sarola during the last week. The survey will also be held in the surroundings of Gautala Sanctuary, View Point of Ajanta Caves, and Lenapur.
The CEO along with expert Milind Girdhari, architect Pradeep Deshpande, Himanshu Deshpande, district agriculture development officer Anand Ganjewar and Ganesh Kasle were present during the survey. The team analysed the present availability of surface land on the top of hills and the feasibility of developing the flora project.
Arch. Deshpande applauded the project saying the survey and soil testing will be done before the onset of monsoon, while the first showers would help to analyse the response to the seed cultivation. The task of preparing the project report is underway. It will have details of works to be done in phases. Earlier, the ZP administration through its schools and gram panchayats had collected seeds of wildflowers and herbs during the last year. Now, the aim is to cultivate these seeds, by marking plots, before the monsoon.
Plan to develop plot of 10 hectares of land
As per the plan, one plot each will be developed on the surface of the hills in the surroundings of Bhendala, Sarola, Aurangabad Caves, Ajanta Caves, and Gautala Sanctuary. Each plot will be of 10 hectares. The success of these initiatives on a pilot basis will help move ahead, stressed Arch. Deshpande adding that the drone survey in Gaulata Sanctuary and Ajanta Caves will be held soon.