Pune, Correspondent

A proposal by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to remove nearly 1,500 trees from the Mundhwa Botanical Garden has sparked concern among environmentalists, citizens, and political leaders across the city.

According to reports, PMC has proposed cutting around 1,488 trees as part of an infrastructure project linked to Pune’s Riverfront Development initiative. The move has triggered widespread criticism, with many warning that it could severely impact the city’s already shrinking green cover and biodiversity.

Member of Parliament Supriya Sule has strongly opposed the proposal, saying that development should not come at the cost of the environment. Taking to social media, she expressed concern over the steady decline of Pune’s greenery.

“Pune’s green cover, once the pride of the city, is gradually disappearing. Development is important, but it must be carried out in a way that protects environmental sustainability,” Sule said.

She has urged the Municipal Commissioner to reconsider and withdraw the tree-cutting proposal, arguing that the large-scale removal of trees could have long-term consequences for Pune’s ecological balance.

Environmental activists and citizen groups have also voiced strong opposition. Several campaigns have been launched to encourage residents to submit objections before the deadline mentioned in the public notice issued by PMC.

Activists describe the Mundhwa Botanical Garden as a vital ecological space that supports biodiversity, conservation efforts, and environmental research. They fear that the loss of hundreds of mature trees could affect local wildlife habitats and further reduce Pune’s green spaces.

Many campaigners have also demanded greater transparency from the civic body. They are seeking detailed information about the trees proposed for removal, including their species, age, ecological significance, and exact locations.

The issue has gained momentum on social media, where citizens and environmental advocates are calling on authorities to explore alternative development plans that minimize damage to the environment.

PMC officials are yet to issue a detailed response to the objections raised by activists and political leaders. Meanwhile, the controversy has reignited the ongoing debate over how Pune can balance rapid urban development with the need to preserve its natural environment.

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Hadapsar, Vasant Waghmare

Poona Bio Energy System Garbage Plant in Ramtekdi Industrial area of Hadapsar has dumped thousands of tons of garbage, and Poona Bio Project has dumped five hundred thousand tons of garbage and kept it in the open, the waste water in the plant here has been kept as it is and  due to this, the citizens of Syednagar, Ramtekdi, Sasanenagar, Vaidwadi Hadapsar area are reporting varois health issues.

This has resulted in mountain of garbage around lakhs of tonnes, is causing air pollution and foul smell in the area and it is difficult for the citizens of the area to get clean air.

Some citizens are said to be suffering from respiratory diseases. Pune Municipal Corporation, after closing many projects in the city during the Corona period, has started dumping the gargbage in the land in Pune Bio Project at Ramtekdi.

There is about one lakh forty thousand metric tons of garbage. So the garbage is being dumped at this place and it has been lying there for three-four years. The garbage is not being removed anywhere, on the contrary around thousand tons of old garbage has been mixed in it.

By paying Rs 419 per metric ton at the Puna Bio Energy System Garbage Project Municipal Corporation, thousands of tonnes of garbage being dumped here is playing with the health hazard for the citizens, the citizens and organizations protesting against the Municipal Corporation and the related project have given a signal to close the garbage project.

Even after contacting the concerned solid waste department, adequate information is not available. There is a demand from the citizens to remove the garbage from the open at the Puna Bio-waste Project.

Poona Bio Project, open dumping outside, four companies would have issued tender for garbage removal. Tenders would had been given to four companies. From 2019 to 2023, it is said that Rs 980 per metric was paid for garbage removal, out of the four, two companies did the work, two companies did not do the work systematically, A small amount of garbage worth a thousand tonnes was lifted, a tender was issued and the bill for lifting the garbage was passed and the garbage was collected and five hundred thousand ton garbage of our project was collected in December/November 2023, informed the manager of Poona Bio Project.

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