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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- 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.'
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Time of India
NGT orders action on illegal tree felling in Yamuna Vihar
New Delhi: National Green Tribunal has asked the tree officer (north) to take prompt action after a plea was filed alleging illegal felling of trees in Yamuna Vihar. The applicant claimed that a complaint was filed on June 15, but no action was taken. He alleged that the occupier of a building in Yamuna Vihar indulged in the illegal felling of a tree, which collided with two neighbouring trees, resulting in its felling. A trench was allegedly dug next to the tree, causing it to fall and damaging the other two. "Though a complaint dated June 15 was made to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (North), Delhi, no action has been taken till now. If a complaint is made to the tree officer, he is required to take expeditious action against the violators of the provisions of the Tree Act and ensure the protection of the tree," observed the bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, directing the tree officer to consider the complaint as per provisions of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Save trees with alternative infra designs: Garden dept
Pune: The civic body's garden department has issued a letter to various builder associations to be mindful of trees cut for construction projects. In a letter dated April 22 and addressed to Builders Association Of India, Credai Pune, Maratha Builders Association Pune, Maratha Chambers of Commerce and the Architects Association of Pune, PMC's chief garden superintendent Ashok Ghorpade stated that it is mandatory to have alternative designs for construction projects to ensure minimal trees are cut or transplanted. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Before procuring a provisional NOC from the building permissions department, the developer must submit a layout plan and if there are a significant number of trees that need to be cut or transplanted, an alternative design, which calls for lesser trees to be cut or transplanted, must also be presented at the time of seeking permission," the letter stated. Several trees have been axed over the last few years for the flyover on Ganeshkhind Road, riverfront development project and for a new building inside the ITI campus on Aundh to name a few. There are many more that are slated to be chopped off as well. Keeping this loss of tree cover in mind, and the rising temperatures, members of Pune Samwad group, met Ghorpade. "Trees are never stakeholders in the real estate business. The temperatures in the city have been rising and we have witnessed more than 40 degrees C continuously in April this year. PMC has finally heeded our requests and helped make trees stakeholders in all new projects. This is a 1975 law, which we are pleased to bring to fruition in 2025," activist and economist Ameet Singh told TOI. Advocate Maitreya Ghorpade, who was also present at the meeting, said, "The letter attempts to remedy some of the lapses in enforcement of the Tree Act as pointed out by us during the meeting held on April 8. More importantly, the letter affirms the importance of trees in protecting against rising temperatures. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Although its implementation will pose a challenge, these pro-conservation directions by the tree authority are a welcome move. It must be noted that the letter is a direct result of persistent public pressure, and an inspiring instance of democracy in action." The tree preservation and protection act is different from the tree felling act, but at the core of it all is safeguarding of trees, said Sathya Natarajan, author of 'Single Page Tree Act'. "Tree felling discussions, be it for PMC projects, societies or for other developments have to focus on preservation and protection before anything else. Currently, when a tree-felling proposition is tabled, it is a massive effort on part of the citizens to ensure that minimal trees are cut. We have to come up with solutions. However, this must be done at the planning stage, so it is important for developers to submit alternative plans. We want to see that due diligence has been done and that they have thought about preservation first," Natarajan added. The letter by Ghorpade also highlighted increase in temperature over the last five years. "To control the rising temperatures, it is important to plant multiple trees and preserve and protect those that are already there collectively," it said. Ghorpade said, "We have circulated this letter with the aim to save trees. With an alternative design, developers or those seeking tree-felling permission will not get a provisional NOC. If this mandate is flouted, a complaint can be made with the Pune commissioner directly. While there are multiple reasons for rising temperature in the city and not just tree felling, we must do what we can to protect the green cover of the city."
