Bhuj NGO launches initiative to map and enhance urban tree biodiversity

By A Representative

A significant initiative aimed at conserving and enhancing urban biodiversity in Bhuj was launched on March 25, 2025, with the release of the book Trees of Bhuj and the launch of the web portal treesofbhuj.in. The initiative is spearheaded by Home In the City (HIC), a collective of non-profits dedicated to creating a more sustainable and inclusive city.

The "Trees of Bhuj" book, authored by Dr. Pankaj Joshi and Dr. Ekta Joshi, documents the rich tree population of Bhuj, a semi-arid region known for its biodiversity. The accompanying web portal provides detailed information on all documented tree species.

A key component of this initiative is a mobile application designed to map and manage tree data. College students are being trained to use the application to collect, analyze, and utilize tree data, contributing to a database that currently includes over 40,000 trees spanning 127 species. This data aids in strategic plantation planning and environmental conservation.

Key Benefits of the Initiative:

* Species-wise Height & Girth: Enables understanding of growth patterns and carbon sequestration.

* Medicinal & Ecological Importance: Documents traditional medicinal uses and ecological roles of various tree species.

* Biodiversity Support: Maps nesting and roosting sites for wildlife.

* Conservation of Historic & Old Trees: Protects culturally and ecologically valuable trees.

* Candidates Plus Trees (CPT) for Seed Collection: Selects high-quality trees for seed propagation in afforestation projects.

A three-tier plantation initiative, utilizing data from the mobile app, has been implemented at the household, society, and ward levels. Over the past two years, more than 55 plant species have been selected, and over 7,000 saplings have been planted, with a survival rate exceeding 90% across two clusters.

Private donors have contributed approximately 80% of the expenses, covering sapling maintenance, land leveling, irrigation, and other costs. Government departments, including the Social Forestry team and Bhuj Municipality, have also provided crucial support.

“It is expected that ward-wise action plans that highlight existing rich areas and potential areas for future plantations will help the ward committees and Bhuj Municipality to have plantation drives and selecting appropriate plant species for specific locations.”, said Aseem Mishra, Programme Director, HIC.

Dr. Pankaj Joshi highlighted the prevalence of Conocarpus trees, noting, “Conocorpus was found as the second-largest species after neem trees which alarms all of us. There is a need to replace Conocorpus with native species for the sake of conserving biodiversity and human health.”

The "Trees of Bhuj" book documents several plant species with medicinal properties, including Tecomella undulata, Derris indica, and Terminalia arjuna, providing a valuable resource for citizens and donors.

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