Our Projects
1. HIMAYATBAGH
The area of Himayatbagh is enriched with thousands of trees dating back to 400 years back. The area of 1.2 km (300 acres) approximately is the oldest living garden in the entire Aurangabad district.
The environmental value of its biological diversity is huge in today’s time of climate change .Himayatbagh garden area is a home to more that 9000(nine thousand) trees and various historical buildings. the society needs such oxygen hub and it is the our duty to protect and preserve such archaeological sites and mini forest like Himayatbagh.
The area of Himayatbagh is enriched with thousands of trees dating back to 400 years back. The area of 1.2 km (300 acres) approximately is the oldest living garden in the entire Aurangabad district. The environmental value of its biological diversity is huge in today’s time of climate change .Himayatbagh garden area is a home to more that 9000(nine thousand) trees and various historical buildings. the society needs such oxygen hub and it is the our duty to protect and preserve such archaeological sites and mini forest like Himayatbagh.
Himayatbagh is also a historical site as there are numerous historical buildings, water reservoir and other structures. the trees in Himayatbagh needs to be give the status of heritage trees , Himayatbagh Is visiting place to Numerous birds flying across the continent To visit The doctor Salim Ali Lake. Himayatbagh is also important historically as there are various marvelous of architectural design like Shakkar bawdi, Barra Darri and underground air conditioning system house . the compound walls of Himayatbagh has water transport pipelines which was used for irrigation of entire garden and is a part of Aurangabad Nahar-E-Ambari system developed by Malik Ambar in 1029 AD.
India is rich in biological diversity and associated traditional and contemporary knowledge system and India is party to the United Nations convention on biological diversity signed at Rio de Janeiro on 5th of June 1992 . the said convention came into force on 29 th December 1993 and the main objective of the said convention is of conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of energy.
when we think of heritage of cities we usually think of historical monuments, statutes of famous people or building of architectural value . But there is another kind of heritage the living heritage comprising trees in our towns and cities . These heritage trees can be found in Himayatbagh garden area. This heritage trees are important of course for their biological value but also for there cultural value . Heritage trees are historical artifacts connecting urban resident to the past and providing a sense of belonging in cities that can otherwise be stressful places to live. The definition/meaning of heritage trees can be given as “ A notable specimen because of its size ,form ,shape, beauty ,age, colour , rarity , genetic construction ,or other distinctive features “.
Himayatbagh needs protection and preservation and status of biological diversity heritage site under the provisions of biological diversity act 2002. Himayatbagh is oxygen hub of Aurangabad city.It is the immediate need of the time to preserve this oxygen producing historical site. The sole aim and objective of the Biological diversity act is to provide for the conservation of biological diversity in India . The Himayatbagh garden area is an perfect example o biodiversity heritage in Aurangabad city .
Himayatbagh garden area is similar to the Ganeshkind biodiversity heritage site Pune which is declared as biodiversity heritage site.
the water reservoir which is also called as Shakkar bawdi is infact a ancient monument site as it has been constructed some 400 years ago for the irrigation system developed by Malik Ambar era. various other ancient structures are present within the premises of Himayatbagh which can be considered to be declared as archaeological site and protected area.
>Umbrella welfare foundation has taken initiative and has approached to the Hon’ble High Court by way of filing public interest litigation no.63/2021 for granting the Biodiversity heritage site status to entire Himayatbagh garden area. All the research documents are submitted before the Hon’ble High Court and we believe the Hon’ble High Court will Allow our prayers.
2.Tree Census For Heritage Trees In Himayatbagh Garden Aurangabad
AURANGABAD: The tree census has finally begun at the Himayat Bagh with the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and forest department making joint efforts to prepare the necessary registry of unique green-cover at the Mughal-era garden.
The census — which also has the participation of NGO Umbrella Welfare Foundation and students of MGM College of Agricultural Biotechnology — is expected to last around two weeks.
The TOI, had carried multiple reports highlighting the inordinate delay in carrying out the tree census at Himayat Bagh despite directives from the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court.
Vijay Patil, in-charge of the garden department of the AMC, said every tree, shrub, creeper and climber at Himayat Bagh would be documented. “We will be also determine the age of the trees using the established methods. It will help us in giving a heritage tag to old trees,” he said.
The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought biodiversity and heritage tags for Himayat Bagh under relevant laws, had asked for declaring the old trees at the garden as heritage trees.
As per the amended Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation and Protection of Trees Act, 1975, many trees at Himayat Bagh that are over 50-years old are entitled to the heritage tag, which would lead to their scientific conservation
Sonservationist Waseem Quadri said the successful conduct of the tree census would prove to be a milestone in conservation of Himayat Bagh. “The official registry of trees will be of immense benefit in protecting the green cover. It will also help in fighting the ongoing legal battle,” he said.
