Pune's garden nurseries are facing a difficult summer as groundwater levels in borewells and open wells have dropped sharply, severely affecting the water-intensive business of maintaining thousands of plants and saplings. Wholesale nurseries, typically spread over 5 acres, require about 40,000 to 50,000 litres of water daily to sustain saplings, flowering plants, indoor plants, succulents, and outdoor plants.
Nurseries reduce production and ration water
Amol Jagtap, who runs Venkateshwara Nursery, said, “Water level in borewells has dropped significantly. We cannot afford tanker water to run the business and have reduced production this year. We are also rationing supply so that all the plants get adequate water.” This sentiment is echoed across the city, where around 250 garden nurseries operate, with a large majority of wholesale nurseries located along the Pune-Solapur Road and Uruli Kanchan belt.
20-30% of plants damaged
A nursery owner in Hadapsar reported that the summer has caused a huge setback: “On an average, 20%-30% of the plants stand damaged. We are awaiting the rains.” The water crisis has also led to increased costs. Tankers are charging between Rs800 and Rs1,000 for 10,000 litres of water, a price many nurseries cannot afford.
Electricity fluctuations add to woes
Pritam More, owner of More Gardens, highlighted additional challenges: “We used to run out of water from our well in 1.5 hours, now it happens in an hour. Plants tolerant of the summer heat were also affected this year. Fluctuations in electricity have damaged pumps used to pull water from the well.” As a result, many nurseries have reduced overall plant production.
Shift to landscape plants
Lakshmikant Kavade, owner of Pushpanjali Rose Nursery, said, “We have increased supply of landscape plants because they require less water and are more in demand. Water in our well has hit very low levels.” This strategic shift reflects a broader adaptation among nursery owners to cope with the scarcity.
Small nurseries also suffer
Small roadside nurseries are not immune. Kishore Jaiswal, who runs a nursery in Wanowrie, stated, “So many plants have died in transportation. Also, there are very few buyers in the summer. We are rotating the plants in the shade so less water is required.”
