Pune, April 2 -- The historic Empress Botanical Garden, a key environmental and heritage landmark of the city, is facing a serious threat as the government pushes a proposal to transfer around one acre of its land for judicial infrastructure.
The move has been strongly opposed by The Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India, which has been preserving the garden and its rare plant species since 1892, marking over 134 years of dedicated conservation. The society has alleged that despite repeated protests, representations, and appeals, the authorities are proceeding with the acquisition in a coercive manner without considering its objections, raising concerns about the rights of an autonomous institution committed to environmental protecti...