Pune: Environment Activists Slam PMC For Cutting Trees Without Expert Approval
Pune: Environment Activists Slam PMC For Cutting Trees Without Expert Approval
Environmental activists and local residents have strongly criticized the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for cutting down trees for a road project without obtaining the necessary expert approval.
The PMC has begun cutting down 50-60 trees for a proposed 30-meter road project from Manjari to Shivajinagar. However, activists claim that the civic body failed to obtain a separate environmental clearance for the project and did not form an expert committee to oversee the tree felling, as required by environmental regulations.
During a meeting with PMC officials, activists pointed out that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) had mandated the formation of a committee for any tree cutting work related to the Mula-Mutha riverfront development plan.
Despite this, the PMC proceeded with the tree cutting, assuming that the environmental clearance for the riverfront project covered the road project as well. Activists argue that this assumption is incorrect and that the PMC has failed to comply with SEIAA’s conditions.
The PMC has assured that a tree committee is being formed and that a team will visit the affected areas to assess the number of trees to be cut and explore possibilities for saving or transplanting trees.
