Pune: Residents Stand Guard As Trees Illegally Felled In Koregaon Park, Authorities Silent
Pune: Residents Stand Guard As Trees Illegally Felled In Koregaon Park, Authorities Silent
Pune, April 14, 2025 – A group of vigilant citizens in Koregaon Park and Mundhwa were left shocked and helpless after witnessing the illegal felling of 10–12 mature trees in broad daylight — despite the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) issuing orders for transplantation, not cutting.
The incident came to light when local resident Vijaya Suratkal noticed workers hacking down trees on North Main Road. Upon questioning, none of the laborers could produce any official permission. More troubling was the complete absence of PMC officials at the site, even as decades-old trees were being cut down with impunity.
After persistent efforts, Vijaya managed to obtain a copy of the official permission letter, which confirmed her fears — the trees were to be transplanted, not felled. However, by then, the damage was well underway, with the contractor’s team ruthlessly cutting down the trees using hacksaws.
Vijaya pleaded with the workers to stop and eventually called 112 for police assistance. Locals Rohan and Moin joined her in trying to halt the operation. When the police arrived, instead of taking action against the workers, the officer allegedly sided with the contractor. She went as far as threatening the citizens with an FIR for “obstructing government work.”
Amid this chaos, a vehicle loaded with timber from the felled trees started to leave the site. Despite citizens raising concerns about the lack of a transit pass or valid documentation, the police allowed the vehicle to go.
Undeterred, the residents rushed to the Mundhwa Police Station and demanded an FIR be lodged under charges including unauthorized tree felling, violation of court orders, and illegal transport of public timber. Initially reluctant, the police finally agreed to register a complaint — but only after tree activist Ameet Singh intervened, citing contempt of court and violations of Supreme Court proceedings.
Police, however, insisted that the official FIR would only be filed after the PMC Tree Officer conducted a site inspection — which didn’t happen as PMC staff were unavailable on the weekend.
Though frustrated, the residents remain determined. “We will not let this go,” they said. “These trees were our community’s silent protectors.”
This incident raises urgent concerns about the lack of oversight, the complicity of authorities, and the disturbing ease with which laws meant to protect the environment are being flouted. As Pune rapidly transforms into a concrete jungle, who will stand up for its trees — and the citizens fighting for them?
