Pune : 20 feet tall peepal tree obstructing metro route replanted by Vasundhara Abhiyan members in Baner 

On the Metro route from Shivajinagar and Hinjewadi, multiple trees have been cut down without permission for the construction of the Pune Metro, alleged alert citizens. 

The main concern of Bhujbal Pandurang. C Founder Member of Vasundhara Abhiyan, Baner is that the trees are being cut from their roots and rather than replanting the trees, the workers are throwing the trees away.

On Thursday 8 February 2024 around 8:00 PM, Bhujbal saw a 2-year-old Peepal tree which usually can live for more than 100 years was cut down and lying on the side which had green leaves and a nest on it. He immediately decided to replant the tree as it was cut down just a few hours ago and still could live a long and healthy life if replanted and taken care of. Therefore, he called his team and the team with their expenditure transported and replanted the tree near his organisation so that the tree could be nourished properly with the right amount of water and fertilizer till monsoon.

Vasundhara Abhiyan has planted more than 45,000 trees in the last 17 years and for them, it is unacceptable to see trees being killed, according to them it is a crime to cut down trees without replanting them.
It is concerning to think about how many more innocent trees are being cut down like this due to industrial growth and even though they are capable enough to live a long life and provide oxygen to humans, they are being cut down.

It is important to emphasise the importance of planting and re-planting trees.
Bhujbal requests the public and workers to replant the trees which are being cut down, if not they can approach NGOs for the same.

A Metro Consultant expressed his concern, he said “Trees are necessary, replanting is a must as we must save as many trees we can. But it is a slow process and will happen eventually as there are several other factors to be considered.”

Manasi Patil