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Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Activists slam PCMC over proposed tree felling, 1,200 objections filed
Over 100 citizens and environmental activists, present for the hearing of the proposed tree felling of 1,009 trees in Wakad and Sangvi for the Riverfront Development Project (RFD) on Monday, claimed the proposed docket prepared by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) was illegal and legally flawed. According to PCMC officials, the revised docket proposes felling of 1,009 trees, transplanting 2,252. (HT) The PCMC last month had issued a public notice in newspapers regarding the proposed tree felling and replantation of trees that will be affected during the RFD project. The civic body received over 1,200 suggestions and objections to the project. During the hearing, held at the civic garden in Bhosari, green activists submitted a fresh letter demanding cancellation of the existing docket, which they claimed violates the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975. According to PCMC officials, the revised docket proposes felling of 1,009 trees, transplanting 2,252, and retaining 3,585 trees, including heritage and ecologically significant trees. Besides, 67 trees have already fallen naturally due to age or calamities. Activists argued that the very basis of the current hearing is flawed as Section 5(a) of the Tree Act mandates that only the Tree Authority or designated Tree Officer can carry out official tree surveys. The documents presented lack basic legal compliance as they do not include geo-tagged photographs, survey dates, or location coordinates, they said. Green activist, Prashant Raul, pointed out that many trees currently standing at the site were missing from the survey report. 'A previous tree census from December 2021 by PCMC, which provides a more accurate count, was ignored. An RTI has also been filed demanding that the older data be used to assess the objections. The report fails to follow the Act's definition of a tree, omitting climbers, grasses, and shrubs. Additionally, the Expert Committee's report, which should clarify why certain trees are being felled or transplanted, was not made available,' he said. Another major concern, according to activists, is that the hearing focused only on the Wakad to Sangvi stretch, while the RFD covers up to Dapodi. Activists questioned why permissions and objections are being considered phase-wise when project approvals were taken for the full stretch. Also, native species such as Karanj, Neem, Banyan, Peepal and Babool were labelled as 'invasive' in the report, drawing widespread criticism. Raju Savle, civic activist, also accused PCMC of already cutting down trees without necessary permissions. Evidence, including photos from 2023, 2024 and this year was submitted, showing large-scale felling to make way for contractor's vehicles and machinery. Mahesh Gargote, head of the garden department, PCMC, said, 'The Tree department has received around 1,200 objections from the public. These objections will be compiled and forwarded to the Environment department and later presented before the Tree Authority. The project work has begun in some sections. All objections would be considered and possible corrective actions would be taken following the Tree Act guidelines.'
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Over 2,500 more illegal structures in blue line; PCMC vows to continue action
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will soon begin action against 2,534 illegal structures located within the blue flood line zones. These were identified during a survey conducted last year, and the demolition drive will be carried out in phases, officials said. Of the 2,534 identified structures, 1,392 are residential, 1,118 commercial, and 24 include tin sheds and under-construction buildings. These are located within the flood-prone blue line zones of the Pavana, Indrayani, and Mula rivers. Shekhar Singh, PCMC municipal commissioner, said, 'The drive will be undertaken in a phased manner. Demolition of buildings within the blue flood line of the Pavana, Mula, and Indrayani rivers will begin soon to prevent potential loss of life and property.' Flood lines are demarcated by the irrigation department based on flood risk assessments, and any construction activity within these zones is prohibited. Raju Savle, a civic activist, criticised the planned action, alleging double standards by the PCMC. 'The civic body itself has carried out construction in blue line zones for various projects. When citizens do the same, it is labelled illegal. Many of these constructions were previously approved by the PCMC,' he said. Savle pointed specifically to PCMC's River Front Development (RFD) work being carried out within the blue line. Last September, PCMC initiated a similar demolition drive, razing 27 structures spread across 37,900 sq ft in the blue line zones of the three rivers. Notices were issued to owners of 1,092 structures. However, following political pressure and persistent heavy rains, the action was temporarily halted.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Citizens protest against Indrayani River pollution in Pimpri-Chinchwad
Concerned over the perennial issue of rising pollution in the Indrayani River; hundreds of citizens gathered at the riverbank near Moi Phata on Sunday to protest against the inaction of the local authorities. Holding placards and raising slogans, residents demanded urgent measures to clean the river and stop untreated sewage and waste from flowing into it the river. Prashant Raul, green activist who was part of the protest, said, 'The river water is foaming, and citizens health is at risk. We are not asking for luxury, just clean water and a clean river.' The protesters stated that Ram Nallah, a stream that flows from Kudulwadi and Chikhali joins the Indrayani, was once a natural water body, it has now turned into a gutter filled with construction debris, plastic waste, and contaminated water. 'Three months ago, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) took action against scrap dealers in the area, blaming them for polluting the river. However, even after the crackdown, nothing has changed. Dirty water is still reportedly seen flowing into the river. The administration is simply ignoring the issue,' said Raju Savle, social activist. The protesters also raised concerns about the impact of river pollution on religious towns like Dehu and Alandi, located along the Indrayani. Millions of Warkaris and pilgrims visit these holy sites and drink the river water as sacred. Citizens demanded that the municipal corporation should stop releasing untreated water directly into the river and ensure that only clean water enters it. The natural flow of the river should be maintained. Besides, the dumping of debris and construction material inside the riverbed should be stopped to protect biodiversity. The protesters also pointed out flaws in the ongoing river rejuvenation project by PCMC. Instead of prioritizing sewage treatment, the focus is on beautification. PCMC is building walls and adding decorative elements while ignoring the real problem. Also, in some places, they are even filling up parts of the river, disrupting its natural path. A senior officer from PCMC, on request of anonymity, said, 'Small portion of Indrayani river flows through PCMC limits. There are other local bodies through which these rivers pass, and the river water gets polluted. The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Dehu Cantonment Board, Dehu Municipal Council, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and gram panchayat all these authorities should also work together to stop Indrayani River pollution.'
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Illegal tree felling for RFD project continues
In yet another instance of illegal tree felling, as many as 50 trees have been allegedly hacked in the Pimple-Nilakh area for the Riverfront Development (RFD) project in the twin city of Pimpri-Chinchwad. A written complaint in this regard has been submitted to the Sangvi police station by green activist, Prashant Raul, stating that trees have been axed illegally by the contractor of the RFD project at two locations along the Mula River in Pimple-Nilakh namely Ingawle Ghat and Dada Ghat. The complaint states that action should be taken as per the provisions of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act 1975, informed civic activist Raju Savle. Raul said, 'We visited the location on Saturday, April 19, and saw multiple trees chopped, uprooted and removed for the movement of vehicles of the RFD contractors. More than 50 trees have been cut illegally. We even called the beat marshals and informed Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) officials about the same. However, no action was taken by any of the departments due to which a written complaint has been submitted by us.' Mahesh Bansode, senior police inspector attached to Sangvi police station said, 'The civic body and tree authority have more powers to take action in such cases. We will send the complaint to the PCMC requesting it to conduct a panchnama. Once the investigation report from the PCMC is received, further appropriate action will be taken by us.' Umesh Dhakne, assistant commissioner, garden department, PCMC, said, 'We will look into the issue and take appropriate action in this case. A team will be asked to conduct a panchnama and further action will depend on what is found during the investigation. In past incidents, we have taken action against the culprits and also warned the contractor/s against cutting trees illegally.' This isn't the first such instance of illegal tree felling for the RFD project. Earlier on January 13 this year, RFD contractor Shankar Rathod of Ayyappa Construction was seen cutting the branches of trees of varying thickness without permission in the same area of Pimple-Nilakh. Branches of over 12 trees including two thorny Babul, three Subabul, five Karanj, one Umber, and one Vilayati Chincha were chopped without permission. On March 24, 2025, the PCMC filed a non-cognisable complaint at Sangvi police station stating that an unknown person was seen illegally cutting trees in the Mula River area near Pimple-Nilakh and Panchsheel Nagar (alongside Ingwale Chowk) on March 8. A total 21 trees were felled without permission, including three Subabul, one Neem, and 17 thorny Babul trees.
