Hidden Stories: this historic garden rests in isolation in Pune’s Aundh, yearning for visitors
Established by botanist George Marshall Woodrow in 1872, Ganeshkhind Garden was intended as a site for horticultural research. It still houses tracts of mango and guava orchards, legacy mahogany trees and a variety of other biodiversity.
A towering mango tree with a wide, scaly trunk and regal foliage stands beside an uneven track, almost appearing to be surveying its surroundings like the Peshwas who had planted it back in 1799. Sheltered in its shade, one is barely aware of the roar of the Pune traffic from Ganeshkhind Road as vehicles hurry past a key biodiversity heritage site in the country. Instead, the breeze carries the smell of leaves and the chatter of mynas, parakeets, and kingfishers.
Ganeshkhind Garden, located at the Ganeshkhind Research Center behind Savitribai Phule Pune University and a stone’s throw from Spicer College, is a 145-acre expanse where history intertwines with botany, and trees serve as important landmarks. In fact, there are more than 4,500 trees here. “Even the people who live in the Aundh neighbourhood don’t know that they have such a beautiful site nearby. They could come more often, have their walks here, and conduct visits for nearby schools,” says Meghna Bhandari, a citizen who is involved in protecting and raising awareness about natural resources.
Ganeshkhind Garden was established as a Centre for Taxonomic Studies by botanist George Marshall Woodrow in 1872. It was intended as a site for scientific research into horticulture. To this day, the garden contains tracts of mango and guava orchards, an avenue of legacy mahogany trees, and dense fields of crops, besides populations of insects and other biodiversity.
When British forces needed medicinal plants
The interest of the British in setting up such gardens goes back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when Pune was a seat of the Marathas that controlled the central and southern parts of the Indian sub-continent and was, consequently, a formidable power against the East India Company, whose garrison was in Khadki. European officers of the company trained “natives” in military tactics to form a force. This led to a demand for a botanical garden that would provide medicinal plants, among others, required by the British and native forces.
The Dapodi Garden was established in 1827 by Sir John Malcolm, the Governor of the Bombay Presidency. Over almost the next four decades, the garden encouraged innovations and planted the seed for scientific research, paving the way for Ganeshkhind Garden.
Ameet Singh, an economist and researcher, says that Pune, even a few decades ago, “had so much biodiversity by the riverside that Ganeshkhind Garden, by itself, wasn’t a very unique place”. “We had the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, where the river became a flood plain, and the Ram-Mula confluence. Slowly, the riverside began to be encroached by a lot of people, including the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Gradually, all the green cover of Pune started to disappear. Today, the Ganeshkhind Garden is among the few such green spaces remaining in the city,” he says. The garden was accorded the status of a Biodiversity Heritage Site in 2020.
Singh adds that several plant types have been developed in the garden through genetic breeding programmes. These include at least 21 varieties of 11 crops. “The garden, thus, possesses sensitive genetic material, which includes the germplasm (the genetic material of a plant) of several crop plants, and new crop varieties developed through traditional research tools,” he says. Researchers have found 167 wild plant species, out of which over 67 have medicinal uses.
Now, a demand for STP
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At present, the Ganeshkhind Garden is facing a new threat in the form of a case at the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Pune. “The PMC wants 30 gunthas of land from the garden to set up a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). There are few such biodiversity heritage sites in India like this garden. While we are not opposed to building STPs. On the contrary, we believe that STPs should be built as we need to increase capacity, but this can be done at a different site rather than at Ganeshkhind Garden,” says Bhandari, the main litigant. The others are Singh, Rekha Joshi and Gangotri Chanda.
“Building an STP would require heavy construction work and a road. There will be noise and pollution. In future, the PMC will increase the capacity of the STP. We are opposed to this happening at Ganeshkhind Garden,” adds Bhandari. As the group takes on the authorities in court, she hopes that citizens start enjoying the garden more.
Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life.
Professional Background
Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint.
Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series).
Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season:
1. Climate & Environment
"Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week.
"How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
"Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner.
2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage
"Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle.
"Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport.
"The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle.
3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc"
"Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema.
"Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups.
"How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor.
Signature Style
Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune.
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