Shivaji Smaarak- Pune University

The Pune University campus, spread over 400 acres, has one evident striking character forming its landscape settings. Visually, the majority of tree cover in the campus comprises of Gliricida sepium (Mexican Lilac/a hardy deciduous tree leguminous tree used as rat poison) and Dalbergia melanoxylon (African ironwood). The British introduced these species into the Pune region in their attempt to afforest the University area which had poor soil cover.

While the rains showcase their green foliage in full glory, given their deciduous habit these trees shed their leaves to such an extent that they become "scrub" vegetation for a greater part of the year, seemingly devoid of any aesthetic value.The experience of the campus, especially the drive from the main gate upto the University Vice Chancellor's Building, is therefore a study of remarkable contrasts due to this phenomenon, and worthy of conservation as a spectacle of nature.

Of course, not everyone sees land and landscapes in the same light, and given the huge expanse and siting of this man-made deciduous forest, there were desires of converting all this land into "buildable area". It was the fortitude and vision of certain Pune-ites which ensured that such devilish design would not come through. for now.

What came through was the Chhatrapati Shivaji smaarak- a memorial to the visionary and heroic Maratha king. In Maharashtra, he epitomises courage, vision, integrity and values - a role model-ironically- for a political group of bigots.

Hardly anyone goes there. In my visits i have counted not more than two people and a dog hanging around in the plaza. The landscape architect has tried to integrate the need to appreciate "role of time and phenomenon of change" by laying out a walkway through this wooded area around the memorial.

The walkway is meant to be used in all seasons, and hopefully the walker will connect with the landscape architect's sensibilities.There is a deliberate restraint towards 'horticultural beautification', with a silent message to appreciate nature as she is.

There are no amphitheatres, pergolas, gazebos, begonias and fittonias or even a lawn! No paved pedestrian pathways, boundary walls or lighting beyond the immediate vicinity of the paved plaza and its axial approach.

Ground cover over barren patches of earth and over berms "happen" when the season is right, although lawn grass was originally planted. Since no one really tended to it, it has become " wild and withered like the trees" and thus appropriate, whether intentional or not.

Humble and time tested materials like shahbad and kota stone form the paving material, while the coping is an adaptation of the ubiquitious old-age basalt coping seen in the larger urban area.

As a whole, though the place does not have public participation or high use, it nevertheless exhibits a noteworthy restraint in design (even if we consider the limited finances angle).

Metaphorically, we see Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj saying "Don't touch Nature"

The Pride of Maharashtra and its erstwhile protector, here stands as the proud protector of the landscape.