The Agri Horticultural Society of Western India, a non-governmental organisation taking care of the Empress Garden has decided to form a committee to protect the greenery in Pune. The committee will be named as - Harit Pune Sanrakshan Samiti, said Suresh Pingle, secretary of the organisation. "It has been observed that prominent politicos, bureaucrats and land mafias are interested in acquiring the green patches in the city. Our committee, comprising of leading personalities in various sectors would see that the greenery remains safe," said Pingle. "The committee will not only create awareness about environment but also fight legal battles against those who are trying to acquire the green patches in the city We identified huge green patches in the Agriculture College, campus of government organisations like National Chemical Laboratory, Cantonment areas, Tekdis and spaces around the rivers, lakes and streams that need to protected and maintained properly," he added. Meanwhile, Pingle along with Dr Feroz Poonawalla, a trustee of the organisation have appealed the citizens to visit the Empress Garden that now holds about 125 rarely observed Indian trees. "We have started Empress Garden Friends Club. Registration is open for all citizens free of cost. The club is organising interesting programmes every Saturday," said Pingle.