Pune Municipal Corporation’s Decision To Cut 120 Trees Sparks Outrage
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In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved the cutting of 120 trees along the stretch from Sakalnagar to Shivajinagar, including Ganeshkhind Road. This decision comes despite a pending Bombay High Court hearing on compliance with previous orders.
The PMC’s Tree Authority passed a resolution on December 19, 2024, allowing the removal of 81 trees and the transplantation of 42 others. Environmental activists argue that this decision undermines efforts to protect Pune’s dwindling green cover and goes against earlier directives issued by the High Court.
The High Court had previously mandated the transplantation of 71 trees along Ganeshkhind Road as part of a previous road-widening project. The court also directed the PMC to plant 5,000 compensatory trees, maintain a 95% survival rate for 10 years, and publish quarterly progress reports.
Ranjit Gadgil, Program Director at Parisar, while talking with media person expressed disappointment with the PMC’s decision, stating that allowing the cutting of 120 trees when the earlier compensatory plantation has not been carried out is shocking. Parisar has filed a contempt petition against the PMC, alleging non-compliance with the High Court’s previous directives.
A senior PMC official defended the decision, stating that the tree cutting is necessary for the construction of Metro stations. However, environmentalists remain skeptical, emphasizing the lack of transparency and accountability in the PMC’s actions.
The PMC’s decision has reignited debates about balancing urban development with environmental conservation in Pune. With the municipal commissioner set to submit an affidavit to the High Court in January, the fate of Pune’s green cover hangs in the balance.
