Pune: NGT Issues Order Mandating PMC to Detail All Compensatory Plantations Since 2022; New Tree-Cutting Permissions Must Specify Plantation Location
Pune: NGT Issues Order Mandating PMC to Detail All Compensatory Plantations Since 2022; New Tree-Cutting Permissions Must Specify Plantation Location
PUNE: In a significant development for environmental transparency, the Western Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued an interim order directing the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to submit a comprehensive, ward-wise report detailing all compensatory plantations carried out against tree-felling permissions granted since January 1, 2022.
The Tribunal’s directive is in relation to a petition filed by sustainable development activist Advocate Krunnal Gharre, highlighting alleged deficiencies in the PMC’s tracking and implementation of compensatory afforestation.
Key Directives and Timeline
Comprehensive Report: The PMC has been ordered to furnish a detailed report covering all tree-cutting permissions and corresponding compensatory plantations over the specified period. This report is expected to include documentary evidence of plantation, including survival rates and geo-tagging, if available.
Mandatory Location Specification:Â
The NGT has also ordered that for all future tree-felling permissions issued by the PMC’s Tree Authority, the exact location of the compensatory plantation must be explicitly mentioned in the permission document. This is aimed at enhancing public accountability and monitoring.
Deadline and Next Hearing:Â
The PMC has been granted a period of two weeks to file its detailed affidavit and report. The matter is posted for the next hearing on February 11th 2026 for compliance review.
Applicant’s Statement:Â
The applicant, Krunnal Gharre, commented on the Tribunal’s order: “This order is a massive step towards making environmental governance accountable and transparent. For too long, compensatory plantation has been a paper formality; a box to be ticked. By mandating the geo-location of every new sapling planted and demanding a full historical audit, the NGT has ensured that the promise of green cover is not lost in bureaucratic files. Our efforts are aimed at securing genuine, sustainable development for Pune.”
