Plan to build sewage treatment plant in biodiversity heritage garden site on Aundh Road meets citizens' ire
2
Pune: Tucked away in the heart of today's bustling Aundh Road survives a little-known ecological marvel that originated centuries ago, some time between 1796 and 1818.
This Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), more commonly known as the Ganeshkhind Garden, is home to a 223-year-old Peshwa-era mango tree, identified in a report by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV).
It also hosts 610 germplasms of 39 crops, among other key natural treasures. The BHS was even declared a heritage site in Aug 2020, under the Biological Diversity Act of 2002.
Yet today, citizens say it is under threat of being significantly damaged by the presence of a sewage treatment plant (STP), proposed to be built on part of the same premises.
You Can Also Check:
Pune AQI
|
Weather in Pune
|
Bank Holidays in Pune
|
Public Holidays in Pune
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) last year sought exclusion of 30 gunthas from the Ganeshkhind Garden Biodiversity Heritage Site to build the STP.
This was done via a recommendation letter dated Nov 21, 2024, issued by the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) to the principal secretary (forests), revenue and forests department, Mantralaya, Mumbai.
Following this recommendation, a 'Revised Ganeshkhind Garden Biodiversity Heritage Site' notification — excluding the said 30 gunthas desired for the STP — was issued on June 12 this year.
But alert citizens had already entered the fray.
On May 20, 2025, petitioners had approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to seek quashing of MSBB's Nov 2024 recommendations. Their aim was to push for prohibition on construction on the highly ecologically sensitive BHS site.
A few weeks down the line, however, they learned on June 19 that a notification for a revised site had already been issued just days prior.
At this point, the citizens filed an appeal to amend their original petition — to now fight against the notification.
On July 7, NGT gave them this permission. The tribunal directed the applicants to move an amendment application to incorporate the necessary pleadings with the original plea, which is currently being heard in court.
While doing so, the NGT order referred to a letter dated Aug 30, 2024, submitted by the secretary of the National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, to the member secretary of MSBB. It stated, "Once an area is designated as a BHS, there are restrictions on certain activities to prevent harm to the site's biodiversity.
The Act emphasizes the need to preserve and protect these sites, which often means limiting any development and construction activities that could adversely affect the ecosystem.
Any project/activity to be implemented by govt or any other agency, which is likely to have adverse impact on the BHS, may be avoided as per Guideline 6.7 of the Guidelines for Identification, Notification and Management of BHS."
Speaking to TOI, Ameet Singh, one of the petitioners, summarised, "The garden was declared a heritage site in Aug 2020.
Five years down the line, the heritage tag was denotified for 30 gunthas. How can heritage value of a place be altered or removed? There is a plot empty right next to it, which can be used for the STP. The site has been maintained for around two centuries. This is a careless and thoughtless move by PMC."
Biodiversity under threat
The BHS is not just ecologically rich but also carries heft in terms of contribution to Pune's history, pointed out citizens.
"The mango plantations on this site were initiated by Bajirao Peshwa II along the Mula river. The space is home to the famous Peshwa mangoes. It was known as the Dapodi garden during the British era," informed Singh.
"The heritage value of the garden has been further enhanced by contributions of several eminent personalities, most notably British botanist Dr George Marshall Woodrow, who took charge of the garden in 1872," he added.
The garden hosts a wide variety of wild and medicinal plants, fungi, microbes, insects, mammals, and reptiles, which in turn support a rich diversity of birds. BHS houses 610 germplasms of 39 crops, many of which have high economic value (germplasm is genetic material of flora or fauna, encompassing all hereditary information that can be passed on to future generations). The garden plays home to 165 wild plant species, including 48 medicinal varieties and several rare and endangered species.
The site has a dense population of Swietenia macrophylla or mahogany (planted in 1874 using seeds from Royal Botanical Garden, UK) and Ficus bengalensis or banyan, with ideal conditions for natural regeneration.
"Before the site was designated as a BHS, it was thoroughly studied by scientists from MPKV and Bengaluru in 2016. Recognizing the immense value of germplasm preserved here since 1853, it was proposed to become a BHS in 2020.
The then-MSBB chairman and member-secretary had personally visited the site to confirm its significance for biodiversity conservation," Singh told TOI.
Caught in a tussle
Advocate Maitreya Ghorpade who appeared for the petitioners with advocate Manasi Thakare, confirmed to TOI that the NGT order allows them to file an amendment, and they are hopeful of a positive response going ahead.
When TOI contacted Jagdish Khanore, chief engineer of the PMC sewage department, he said that he was not yet aware of the NGT order dated July 7.
He said, "There is a reservation for a piece of land which falls under the BHS for an STP in the development plan (DP) of 1997, spanning 1.6 hectares. Of this, there is a pumping station located on 0.25ha already. The BHS tag came much after the DP and probably did not take the latter into consideration at the time. We are building the STP on a part of land that has been set aside in the reservation. That is why we got permission to do so.
We are not touching any other tree or area in the garden."
"Drainage lines of neighbouring localities come and end here. This is the lowest point, which means that the STP cannot be moved anywhere else. The garden can be moved. The high court had, in an order three years ago, directed us to ensure that 100% sewage is treated in the city. Currently, only 60% gets treated. To reach the court-mandated goal, 11 STPs had been planned. The one in Ganeshkhind garden is a part of the same," Khanore added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
MP tigers tobe airliftedto Raj in Oct
Jaipur: The state forest department is set to airlift tigers from Madhya Pradesh in a phased interstate relocation, beginning in October and expected to conclude by December. This will be Rajasthan's second helicopter-based tiger translocation, but the first to be done interstate. The first took place successfully in 2008, when a male tiger was flown by helicopter from Ranthambore National Park to Sariska Tiger Reserve. However, that operation was not interstate. The decision was taken during a meeting held on Wednesday at the Parliament House office in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union minister for environment and forests Bhupender Yadav, and senior forest officials, including Anand Kumar, additional chief secretary of the forest department, and chief wildlife warden Shikha Mehra. A state official said, "Seven tigers—including both males and females—will be translocated to Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Bundi." Officials also confirmed that all necessary preparations for the tiger translocation are underway. One official added, "Given the distance and challenging landscape, helicopters will be used for the translocation." The prey base is also being strengthened, with plans to release 150 chitals (spotted deer) into the reserves. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Woman sells ring given by ex, then jeweler tells her 'This can't be true' Daily Sport X Undo The meeting also called for expediting the no objection certificate process to fast-track development works in forest areas. All paperwork was completed, and formal approval under Section 12 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, was granted on March 25. The forest department waited for summer to end before starting the translocation. Environmentalist Bhanwar Singh Hada, welcoming the move, said, "At present, Ramgarh has seven big cats, including sub-adults, and Mukundra has five, including a cub. This is a crucial step to improve the gene pool, as earlier research by the National Centre for Biological Sciences found that Rajasthan has more inbred tigers than any other state in the country."
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
TOI impact: NGT puts Chandigarh MC, CPCC on notice over Dadumajra crisis
1 2 Chandigarh: Taking suo motu cognisance of the TOI report, published on July 23, about a public health emergency due to missed deadlines to remove legacy waste at Dadumajra, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Chandigarh municipal corporation and Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC). The NGT noted, "The news item relates to a major environmental and public health emergency at the Dadumajra dumping site in Chandigarh. The article mentions that the heavy monsoon rains are aggravating the crisis. The article highlights that due to continuous heavy rains, overflowing leachate, contaminated liquid runoff mixed with solid waste, is spreading into nearby fields and even seeping into the Patiala Ki Rao Choe. " According to TOI report, initially, the authorities promised to clear the waste by May 31, but on the same day, a massive fire erupted at the dumping ground, requiring 1.25 lakh litres of water to extinguish the flame. The deadline was then pushed to July, but the garbage is still there. Residents said the situation has deteriorated into a severe public health emergency. They reported a rise in respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, and serious conditions like tuberculosis and cancer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo The foul odour from the leachate has made it difficult to breathe, and many allege that constant exposure to the stench is affecting their health. Residents have also raised concerns about safety, stating that the leachate flowing onto roads has made them slippery and dangerous. Despite repeated demands from residents for urgent action, they claim that no effective measures have been taken so far. The tribunal, in its order, said, "The news item indicates violation of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance with the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment. "
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Plan to build sewage treatment plant in biodiversity heritage garden site on Aundh Road meets citizens' ire
1 2 Pune: Tucked away in the heart of today's bustling Aundh Road survives a little-known ecological marvel that originated centuries ago, some time between 1796 and 1818. This Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), more commonly known as the Ganeshkhind Garden, is home to a 223-year-old Peshwa-era mango tree, identified in a report by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV). It also hosts 610 germplasms of 39 crops, among other key natural treasures. The BHS was even declared a heritage site in Aug 2020, under the Biological Diversity Act of 2002. Yet today, citizens say it is under threat of being significantly damaged by the presence of a sewage treatment plant (STP), proposed to be built on part of the same premises. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) last year sought exclusion of 30 gunthas from the Ganeshkhind Garden Biodiversity Heritage Site to build the STP. This was done via a recommendation letter dated Nov 21, 2024, issued by the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) to the principal secretary (forests), revenue and forests department, Mantralaya, Mumbai. Following this recommendation, a 'Revised Ganeshkhind Garden Biodiversity Heritage Site' notification — excluding the said 30 gunthas desired for the STP — was issued on June 12 this year. But alert citizens had already entered the fray. On May 20, 2025, petitioners had approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to seek quashing of MSBB's Nov 2024 recommendations. Their aim was to push for prohibition on construction on the highly ecologically sensitive BHS site. A few weeks down the line, however, they learned on June 19 that a notification for a revised site had already been issued just days prior. At this point, the citizens filed an appeal to amend their original petition — to now fight against the notification. On July 7, NGT gave them this permission. The tribunal directed the applicants to move an amendment application to incorporate the necessary pleadings with the original plea, which is currently being heard in court. While doing so, the NGT order referred to a letter dated Aug 30, 2024, submitted by the secretary of the National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, to the member secretary of MSBB. It stated, "Once an area is designated as a BHS, there are restrictions on certain activities to prevent harm to the site's biodiversity. The Act emphasizes the need to preserve and protect these sites, which often means limiting any development and construction activities that could adversely affect the ecosystem. Any project/activity to be implemented by govt or any other agency, which is likely to have adverse impact on the BHS, may be avoided as per Guideline 6.7 of the Guidelines for Identification, Notification and Management of BHS." Speaking to TOI, Ameet Singh, one of the petitioners, summarised, "The garden was declared a heritage site in Aug 2020. Five years down the line, the heritage tag was denotified for 30 gunthas. How can heritage value of a place be altered or removed? There is a plot empty right next to it, which can be used for the STP. The site has been maintained for around two centuries. This is a careless and thoughtless move by PMC." Biodiversity under threat The BHS is not just ecologically rich but also carries heft in terms of contribution to Pune's history, pointed out citizens. "The mango plantations on this site were initiated by Bajirao Peshwa II along the Mula river. The space is home to the famous Peshwa mangoes. It was known as the Dapodi garden during the British era," informed Singh. "The heritage value of the garden has been further enhanced by contributions of several eminent personalities, most notably British botanist Dr George Marshall Woodrow, who took charge of the garden in 1872," he added. The garden hosts a wide variety of wild and medicinal plants, fungi, microbes, insects, mammals, and reptiles, which in turn support a rich diversity of birds. BHS houses 610 germplasms of 39 crops, many of which have high economic value (germplasm is genetic material of flora or fauna, encompassing all hereditary information that can be passed on to future generations). The garden plays home to 165 wild plant species, including 48 medicinal varieties and several rare and endangered species. The site has a dense population of Swietenia macrophylla or mahogany (planted in 1874 using seeds from Royal Botanical Garden, UK) and Ficus bengalensis or banyan, with ideal conditions for natural regeneration. "Before the site was designated as a BHS, it was thoroughly studied by scientists from MPKV and Bengaluru in 2016. Recognizing the immense value of germplasm preserved here since 1853, it was proposed to become a BHS in 2020. The then-MSBB chairman and member-secretary had personally visited the site to confirm its significance for biodiversity conservation," Singh told TOI. Caught in a tussle Advocate Maitreya Ghorpade who appeared for the petitioners with advocate Manasi Thakare, confirmed to TOI that the NGT order allows them to file an amendment, and they are hopeful of a positive response going ahead. When TOI contacted Jagdish Khanore, chief engineer of the PMC sewage department, he said that he was not yet aware of the NGT order dated July 7. He said, "There is a reservation for a piece of land which falls under the BHS for an STP in the development plan (DP) of 1997, spanning 1.6 hectares. Of this, there is a pumping station located on 0.25ha already. The BHS tag came much after the DP and probably did not take the latter into consideration at the time. We are building the STP on a part of land that has been set aside in the reservation. That is why we got permission to do so. We are not touching any other tree or area in the garden." "Drainage lines of neighbouring localities come and end here. This is the lowest point, which means that the STP cannot be moved anywhere else. The garden can be moved. The high court had, in an order three years ago, directed us to ensure that 100% sewage is treated in the city. Currently, only 60% gets treated. To reach the court-mandated goal, 11 STPs had been planned. The one in Ganeshkhind garden is a part of the same," Khanore added.
