The Maharashtra Forest Department has launched the “Majhe Van” initiative to revive 338 acres of degraded forest land in the Alibag Forest Division without using any government funds.
The scheme, set to be inaugurated on May 22 by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, relies entirely on voluntary participation by forest staff. Conceptualised by Rahul Patil, Deputy Conservator of Forests, the initiative empowers 338 officers and guards to adopt one acre each of degraded land under their jurisdiction. These field-level staff members will fund the tree plantation activities themselves during the 2025 monsoon season and will be individually responsible for protecting and nurturing their designated plots. Each participant will also be allowed to name their plot, a symbolic gesture intended to strengthen personal accountability and stewardship for the restoration process.
The project will begin with a ceremonial plantation at Compartment No. 50A in Mouje Jumapatti, Karjat Taluka (Matheran Range). Officials hope that the scheme will significantly improve tree cover and biodiversity in the district. The Alibag Forest Division spans 1,065.61 square kilometres and includes 11 forest ranges—Alibag, Vadkhal, Pen, Panvel, Uran, Khalapur, Karjat East, Karjat West, Matheran, Sudhagad, and Nagothane. The Majhe Van initiative targets underperforming areas across these zones, many of which have experienced deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of native vegetation. By shifting the responsibility of ecological revival directly to grassroots personnel, the scheme sets a unique precedent for decentralised and self-driven conservation efforts. Forest officials believe this model could be replicated in other districts to fast-track reforestation without waiting for state or central funding.
The Majhe Van initiative underscores the Forest Department’s commitment to community-led environmental protection and marks a significant step toward climate resilience and biodiversity preservation in Maharashtra.
