Empress Garden celebrates its ‘uninvited guests’
Every year, the Empress Botanical Garden in Pune hosts a garden party, but the real stars of the event are the "uninvited guests" that emerge unbidden from the soil. These weeds, though often dismissed as pests, possess remarkable resilience and transformative power. According to Khushbu Sangameshwari, a nature educator at the Rupa Rahul Bajaj Centre for Environment and Art (RRBCEA), weeds are not just unwanted plants but vital contributors to the ecosystem.
They enrich the soil, enhance biodiversity, and provide essential resources for pollinators like butterflies and bees. The RRBCEA, celebrating its ninth Foundation Day on September 6, will spotlight these often-misunderstood plants through a series of events, including a Weed Walk and the release of a Weed Booklet. This comprehensive guide documents 59 species of weeds found within the garden, many of which are common across the city.
Mansi Sable, another nature educator at RRBCEA, emphasizes that weeds are simply a different type of plant, lacking a separate genus. Despite their reputation, many weeds offer aesthetic value with their colorful flowers, attract beneficial insects, and even serve as food sources for honey bees and butterflies. By redefining our perception of weeds, the RRBCEA hopes to foster a greater appreciation for their ecological significance and potential.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
