NGT Slams Pune Police, PMC Over Inaction on Highway Tree Cutting
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In a firm directive, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has demanded immediate action from both the Pune police commissioner and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) concerning the illegal cutting of trees along National Highway 65, stretching from Kavadipat Toll Plaza to Hadapsar. This move comes after a series of ignored instructions and apparent negligence by the Hadapsar police.
The issue traces back to social activist Nitin Ankush Kolte, who had undertaken a significant tree-planting initiative along the highway divider, with the necessary permissions granted by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in December 2017. Kolte, committed to enhancing the environment, planted numerous trees along the highway. However, in a disturbing turn of events, 50 of these trees were illegally cut down in 2020, followed by another 12 in 2022, and 15 more in 2023. Despite Kolte’s repeated reports to the Hadapsar police, including the submission of CCTV footage capturing the illegal activities, no substantial action was taken.
In light of the ongoing inaction, Kolte escalated the matter to the NGT, which responded with a stringent directive. The tribunal ordered the Hadapsar police to submit a detailed report by August 7, 2024, while also instructing the PMC’s tree authority to take decisive steps to address the situation. Further inspections by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board confirmed the unauthorized felling, prompting additional pressure on the PMC to respond.
The NGT expressed its frustration over the Hadapsar police’s failure to act and the inspector’s absence from tribunal hearings. A notice was consequently issued to the Pune police commissioner, urging immediate compliance with the tribunal’s orders. The tribunal, led by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr. Vijay Kulkarni, stressed the critical importance of protecting the environment and ensuring that those responsible for these illegal acts are held accountable. The NGT has set a two-week deadline for the police to report on their actions, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
