Pune: PMC Environment Report Reveals Zone 1 Has Most Parks But Least Green Cover, Zone 3 Rich In Open Spaces
Pune: PMC Environment Report Reveals Zone 1 Has Most Parks But Least Green Cover, Zone 3 Rich In Open Spaces
Pune, July 31, 2025 — The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) latest Environmental Status Report (ESR) for 2024–25 has revealed a concerning imbalance in the distribution of green spaces across the city. Despite having the highest number of parks, Zone 1 — covering areas like Yerawada, Vishrantwadi, Vadgaon Sheri, Dhole Patil Road, Nagar Road, and Kharadi — has the least green cover by area.
Zone 1 features 52 parks, but their combined area is only 3,223.12 square metres, averaging just 62 square metres per park far from sufficient for densely populated localities. Local residents have voiced frustration, citing the lack of large public spaces.
Conversely, Zone 3 encompassing Warje-Karvenagar, Sinhagad Road, Dhankawadi, and Sahakarnagar has only 40 parks, but with a total area of 943,514.08 square metres, including large ecological assets like the Rajiv Gandhi Biodiversity Park and hilly terrains. This zone leads in terms of open green space availability.
Zone 4, which includes Kondhwa, Yeolewadi, Hadapsar, Mundhwa, and Bibwewadi, fares poorly as well, with just 33 parks across 568,646 square metres, despite ongoing urbanisation and rapid real estate development.
Environmental experts have cautioned against the PMC’s reliance on ornamental landscaping and exotic plantations, which offer limited ecological benefits.
Meanwhile, PMC officials maintain that future expansion will address the green space gaps as merged villages are brought into the municipal framework.
The report has prompted calls for a more thoughtful, biodiversity-focused green strategy rather than mere numeric expansion of parks.
