In order to increase the green cover and maintain balance between nature and the huge development in its jurisdiction, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has sought the standing committee permission for signing an agreement with the Forest department for 325 hectare forest land spread in eight merged villages in PMC. "The forest department has conveyed that it is unable to maintain the green cover of the forest within the PMC limits due to shortage of manpower and funds. Thus, the civic administration has proposed that the PMC take up the responsibility to maintain the environmental balance of the city when the development is at peak,' Municipal Commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi said in the proposal seeking the standing committee approval for signing agreement with the Forest department. PMC would be responsible for constructing building wall, watchman towers, measures for soil and water conservation and plantation of local species, he said. The PMC would maintain the forest land of Ghorpadi (6 hectare), Wanawadi (43.88 hectare), Wadgaonsheri (3.23 hectare), Kondhwa Budhruk (144.6 hectare), Kondhwa Khurd (24.25 hectare), Mohammedwadi (69.99 hectare), Kharadi (3.42 hectare) and Warje (30.33 hectare). However, the forest officials said the ownership of the land will remain with the department and the PMC would only maintain its greenery. The PMC in association with the Forest department had already taken the responsibility of maintaining the green cover of Bhamburda and Pachgaon Parvati.