‘Mini Konkan’ Blooms in Latur as College Sets Eco-Friendly Example

‘Mini Konkan’ Blooms in Latur as College Sets Eco-Friendly Example (Representative Image: Smt. Sushiladevi Deshmukh Mahavidyalaya)

In Maharashtra’s Latur city, a sprawling seven-acre college campus has quietly transformed into a lush green paradise. With over 700 trees and a rich biodiversity, this eco-friendly oasis has earned the nickname “Mini Konkan” from nature lovers and morning walkers alike.

The Smt Sushiladevi Deshmukh Senior College campus boasts 712 trees planted over 20 years ago, creating a vibrant green oasis. According to Principal Dr. Ajay Patil, these trees generate approximately 2,852 kilograms of oxygen daily, providing a fresh and healthy environment for students and visitors alike, he told PTI ahead of World Environment Day on June 4.

Seasonal blooms and a canopy of native trees enhance the campus’s natural beauty, giving it the feel of a vibrant botanical garden. Dr. Pandurang Shitole, head of the English department, described the campus as a peaceful haven where nature’s allure harmoniously blends with academic life, PTI reported.

The campus converts leaf litter and organic waste into compost manure, nurturing the very trees that shade the grounds. A nearby sewage treatment plant filters up to 60,000 liters of wastewater daily, which is then reused for irrigation—helping the college remain nearly self-sufficient in water use.

Hundreds of residents flock to the dedicated walking track every morning and evening. “Walking here feels like strolling through the greenery of Konkan,” shared retired headmaster Balasaheb Yadav, a regular visitor.

This remarkable transformation is the outcome of a clear vision and consistent effort, guided by former minister Diliprao Deshmukh, president of the Manjara Charitable Trust, highlighted Dr. Patil.

(With inputs from PTI)