PMC: Citizens oppose PMC’s idea to install artificial trees at the cost of 88 lakh rupees at Balasaheb Thackeray Garden
Akash Dhanurkar
Pune Municipal Corporation’s decision to install three artificial trees at Balasaheb Thackeray garden in Dahanukar colony, Kothrud, has received severe backlash from the citizens and nature enthusiast as many organizations have opposed the plan of PMC, calling it an “unnecessary innovation” not counted as green measure for the environmental benefits.
Area Sabha Association of Pune, has raised its voice by writing a letter to PMC Commissioner and Tree authority, Vikram Kumar. In its letter, the association has mentioned: “Spending public money on this bizarre project when PMC has been giving permissions to uproot and cut down trees in the name of road widening, new constructions, development projects, smart city initiatives etc is a complete violation of the Maharastra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act (1975).”
The MH Tree Act Rules (2009), Schedule I (please find attached), clearly favours plantation of native trees, but even in the name of trimming branches, native trees are being hacked in large numbers with the permission of the Tree Authority, PMC, mentioned the letter.
While talking to Vaishali Patkar, an active citizen and nature enthusiast, said, “I am sure that innovation is the need of the hour, but this artificial change is not useful to the environment and the public money, too, is going in vain. These artificial trees have no environmental benefits, in fact, it is not even counted among the greenery. The artificial trees speak about conservation, which is a joke and making mockery of the public money. Utter violation of tree act.”
The group of organizations have raised their concern with Aditya Thackeray, too.
Pune Pulse tried reaching out to PMC Commissioner, Vikram Kumar, multiple times, but he did not respond back. There is no understanding on the scope of action by PMC yet.
Sushma Date, a citizen and a nature enthusiast said, “This is so bizarre, irrational, illogical and senseless that I can’t find words to express my frustration. On one hand PMC cuts trees mindlessly all over the city with blithe disregard for the Tree Act rules of planting 5 saplings per tree cut, and on the other hand, plans a super expensive artificial tree and a sound and light show to lecture us on conservation of nature.”
Nikhil Salvi, a nature enthusiast while talking to Pune Pulse said, “This is an unfortunate decision from PMC to waste public money. These artificial trees will onky bring harm to the garden as that will attract the visitors and hence plastic waste cannot be ignored. There should be more focus on maintaining the tekdis and hills in Pune. Use the public money for the benefit of people. How is artificial a replacement to greenery?”
Sathya Natrajan, a nature enthusiast and an active citizen, while talking to Pune Pulse said, “I had requested PMC to publish the tree act and circulate it among housing societies so that the message is lawful and strong, but they have chosen to create an awareness by deciding to install an artificial tree. Wondering if it makes sense.”
