Make Greening of Palkhi Routes a People’s Movement: Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar

‘Nirmal Wari–Harit Wari’ Initiative Gains Momentum, Boosting Environmental Conservation

Mumbai, June 2026 : The Maharashtra Government is committed to extensive greening of the state’s Palkhi routes by integrating environmental conservation with the centuries-old Ashadhi Wari tradition. Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar directed officials to implement the initiative as a mass public movement through the combined efforts of the government, spiritual organizations and public participation.

The directions were issued during a review meeting of the Nirmal Wari and Harit Wari initiatives, where detailed discussions were held on plantation and greening works along the Palkhi routes.

The meeting was convened following a request by Shivajirao More, trustee of the Pandharpur Sansthan and a descendant of Sant Tukaram Maharaj, who urged the government to take proactive measures for tree conservation and plantation along the pilgrimage routes. Also present at the meeting were initiative mentor Shivaji Maharaj More, Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Dr. Kiran Kulkarni, Environment and Climate Change Department Secretary Jayshree Bhoj, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official Abhijit Aute, Forest Department representative Vivek Khandekar, senior government officials, and representatives of Seva Sahayog Foundation, Atul Nagras and Narendra Vaishampayan.

Green belts are being developed along the pilgrimage routes of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj to provide shade and comfort to the thousands of devotees who undertake the annual foot pilgrimage.

During the meeting, Shivajirao More suggested utilizing the Mumbai Cricket Association’s public welfare initiative under which a tree is planted for every dot ball bowled during cricket matches. He proposed that trees planted under this initiative could be used to green the Palkhi routes. Acting immediately on the suggestion, Minister Shelar contacted office-bearers of the Mumbai Cricket Association and urged them to prioritize plantation along these routes.

More also pointed out that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has launched an ambitious campaign to plant 300 crore trees with the objectives of environmental protection, climate resilience and rural employment generation. He suggested that the campaign could significantly contribute to greening the Palkhi routes. Taking note of this recommendation, Minister Shelar contacted senior bureaucrat Milind Mhaiskar and instructed him to give priority to the Palkhi routes under the large-scale plantation drive.

Addressing the meeting, Shelar said that whenever trees are cut for infrastructure development projects, developers are required to undertake compensatory afforestation elsewhere. He stressed that such plantation efforts should also be directed towards the greening of the pilgrimage routes.

The minister appealed for active participation from government agencies, spiritual institutions, voluntary organizations and Warkaris to transform the project into a successful public movement. He also directed the National Highways Authority of India to extend all necessary support and issue required no-objection clearances for the welfare-oriented initiative.

Shelar further instructed officials to ensure the planting and preservation of native shade-giving tree species along the routes. He emphasized regular maintenance, irrigation and protection measures to ensure the long-term survival of the plantations.

He expressed confidence that the initiative would provide greater comfort to pilgrims undertaking the Wari on foot while significantly contributing to environmental conservation. The project, he said, would serve as a model by bringing together the traditions of the Warkari movement, environmental protection and community participation.