Every morning before work, Bholewar Palange steps into a parking lot — not to check his car, but to check on saplings.
Where most see concrete, he sees opportunity. In this small nursery tucked inside his housing society in Pune, hundreds of young plants grow in recycled containers — milk packets, oil cans, old jute sacks, discarded pots. Some are native species so rare, you’re unlikely to spot them even in city parks.
Over the last 25 years, Bholewar, a 50-year-old Tata Motors employee, has turned every free moment — lunch breaks, holidays, weekends — into a mission for the planet. With the quiet support of his family and friends, he has planted over one lakh saplings and donated them to individuals, societies, corporates, and over 70 NGOs — completely free of cost.
How a teacher’s simple act inspired Bholewar
“We moved into this society in 2000, and it was a new building back then,” Palange recalls. “A neighbour of ours, who was a teacher, Pratiba Bhadsavale, was my inspiration. Every day, she used to take some time off in the morning to plant saplings. I followed suit, and today, I have my own nursery.”
His love for plants started in childhood, when seed germination was a hobby. As an adult, it became a way of life. Even in his office, he found unused land to plant trees. “When I got a break at work, I used to head to the place where I could plant a sapling, and I did so,” he smiles.
Today, the Tata Motors campus in Pune has over 100 trees, thanks to his efforts.
A nursery built on family and faith
Bholewar didn’t wait for land or funds — he began in the society’s parking lot. Over the years, this small space has become a thriving nursery, home to thousands of saplings grown from seeds he collects on his walks.
“We’ve had no donations. This nursery has purely worked based on our money, family support, and a few people who willingly came forward to volunteer,” he says.
His niece, Trunali Bendre, explains how the family — all the members stay nearby — has rallied around him: “There are about 13 of us who help. From sowing seeds to packing and sending off plants, we do it all.” His neighbours and colleagues often lend a hand in planting saplings and sowing seeds.
“Our primary role is to support our mama (uncle) because we believe in his vision of a greener tomorrow,” she says with a smile. “We take care of the nursery, and work with nearly 70 NGOs to ensure the saplings reach individuals, corporates, and communities. Our main focus is on growing native seed varieties — they’re rare to find and often expensive to buy,” explains Trunali.
Growing a forest with waste
Even today, Bholewar often steps out with a bag in hand, walking for miles in search of native tree saplings or fertile soil by the roadside. Whatever he finds, he brings back to the nursery to nurture.
When asked how the Palange family funds their nursery, Trunali explains, “It’s mostly from our own incomes, and a few friends pitch in occasionally. We don’t really have any regular donors. But plants don’t need a lot of money to grow — just love and care.”
She believes what’s discarded by one person can be a treasure for another. “Milk packets, oil cans, jute bags, baskets, old pots, even plastic bottles — we use all of these to sow our seeds. We urge people to donate their waste to our nursery so we can use it to grow saplings,” she adds.
Every day, the 50-year-old sets aside an hour for the nursery, and on his days off, he spends at least two. “Many of my friends also help by contributing seeds, plants, soil, pots, and their time. I also actively participate in various company CSR activities,” he shares.
Celebrating milestones with trees
One of Bholewar’s most unique ideas is to mark special occasions — birthdays, anniversaries, even death anniversaries — by planting trees. “Whether it’s someone’s birthday, a wedding anniversary, or even a death anniversary in the family, he will instantly pick up a sapling and plant it,” shares Trunali.
“It’s his way of giving back to the planet. We also encourage others to do the same — people can request saplings or borrow them from us for their special days. It becomes a beautiful memory that grows for years to come.”
Over the last 25 years, Bholewar and his family’s sustained efforts have led to the planting of over one lakh saplings, germination of nearly 10,000 seeds, and the preservation of close to 150 indigenous species.
Some of the native varieties Bholewar has successfully germinated include: Gavathi Ambe (Native Wild Mango), Undi (Indian Laurel / Beach Chestnut), Jambhul (Java Plum / Black Plum), Bakul (Spanish Cherry / Bullet Wood), Sonchafa (Golden Champa / Fragrant Champa), Palas (Flame of the Forest) and many more.
“If these saplings have to be purchased anywhere else, they are expensive – but I give them away for free,” shares Bholewar.
A legacy that keeps growing
Suhas Kuda, an environmental conservationist, has been associated with Bholewar Palange for the past three years. “We collaborate to germinate native seed varieties. Every month, we take over 1,000 saplings from his nursery and distribute them to various NGOs I work with,” he shares.
Vaishali Gaikwad from the Aarambh Foundation in Pune also recalls her experience working with Bholewar. “We collaborated on a tree plantation drive in Pune a few years ago. Today, the sapling we planted stands nearly 15 feet tall. We continue to visit the site to maintain the trees and clean the area. What sets him apart is his ability to germinate rare native plant varieties. Some of these are nearly impossible to find elsewhere — but he always seems to have them in his nursery,” she says.
From honouring memories to reviving lost species, Bholewar Palange’s work is a reminder that real change takes root quietly. With every sapling he plants, he’s not just growing trees — he’s growing a greener, more mindful tomorrow.
All images courtesy Bholewar Palange
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