Pune: Green Cover Significantly Altered Right Before PM’s Address

Punekars are agitated over the mindless and rampant clearing of trees as a prerequisite for the rally taking place on 29th April.

29 April 2024

By Khushi Maheshwari

The citizens of Pune demand an explanation from the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) as wildlife habitats are jolted, trees trimmed and axed, and the visual appearance of certain areas is heavily altered right before Prime Minister Modi’s planned visit to the city.

The operation covered a stretch from the race course to the Hollywood Gurudwara region, eliciting suspicion among citizens since the timing and location of the PM’s rally has been uncannily synced with that of the operation. 

This move led to many locals expressing their disapproval and concern over the potential environmental effects of the large-scale tree cutting; with that, the pressure on the concerned authorities to provide an explanation for it is also tantamount. 

Other points of contention among the residents and PCB are the depleting air quality of the area, hindrance of wildlife habitats and alterations in the visual aspect of these areas. The timing and extent of this tree pruning have generated a heated discussion in the city, given the increased emphasis on environmental conservation on a global scale.

Opening up on the subject, Ameet Singh, an environmental activist, voiced his concerns and threw light on how the path leading from the race course to the Hollywood Gurudwara, located in the camp area, has been losing its green cover due to a rampant axing of trees in these areas. He elucidated how the reason behind all of this destruction is the PM’s anticipated visit on 29th April. 

The dearth of trees in Pune is causing the temperature to rise steadily. Additionally, he also mentioned that Punekars would rather not have the PM visit if it means the city will lose its tree cover. 

Further, he expressed public discontent and frustrations about the PM’s inactivity in devising measures that would help in the conservation of the environment, and his superficial visits to Pune that only restricted themselves to inaugurating fancy structures and buildings.