‘jungle wahi rahega’: Residents of Pune Gather for “ChaloChipko” Event in Remembrance of Lost Greenery
'jungle wahi rahega': Residents of Pune Gather for "ChaloChipko" Event in Remembrance of Lost Greenery
On April 29 last year, a somber realization dawned upon the residents of Pune. Amidst the hustle and bustle of urban development, the city’s cherished green cover was being sacrificed at an alarming rate in the name of progress. As over a lakh endemic shrubs, vines, grasses, bushes, and trees fell victim to the relentless march of construction, a wave of concern swept through the community.
The catalyst for this outcry was the initiation of the riverfront development project (RFD), which saw over 11 kilometers of riparian forest being cleared to make way for infrastructure projects. With plans to extend this development across an additional 33 kilometers, the urgency of the situation became clear.
ChaloChipko
— ameet singh (@ameetgsingh) April 27, 2024
On 29th April last year, things came to a head when Pune realised that we are being made fools out of as our green cover is simply being massacred to build shiny new projects which don’t seem to deliver any promise.
Over a lakh endemic shrubs, vines, grasses,… pic.twitter.com/cZFGbrdjzJ
In response to this ecological crisis, residents from all corners of Pune united in protest against the wanton destruction of their natural heritage. Thousands gathered on April 29 to voice their dissent and express their unwavering love for trees and living species. The sweltering heat of 2023’s April was compounded by an unusual deluge, with the city receiving over 11 mm of rain throughout the month.
Amidst the chaos, the trees stood as silent witnesses to the unfolding tragedy, beckoning out to the protestors with their silent plea for preservation. In a symbolic gesture of remembrance and solidarity, a small gathering is scheduled for 28 evening.
From 5 pm to 7 pm, participants will walk along the path that once teemed with verdant life, tracing the now-vanished riparian forest stretch from Sangamwadi ghat near RTO to Bund Garden.
The event, dubbed “ChaloChipko,” aims to honor the lost greenery and reignite the call for environmental conservation.
All are invited to join in this solemn occasion, as together, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding our natural heritage. For in the face of relentless development, it is incumbent upon us to stand as stewards of the earth, ensuring that the ‘jungle wahi rahega’— the forest shall endure.
