Environmental Concerns Rise Over Tree Felling for Pune Road Project
In a recent meeting with officials of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), environmentalists and concerned citizens raised alarms about the cutting down of 50 to 60 trees for the construction of a 30-metre road connecting Manjari to Shivajinagar. Their primary concern was that the PMC had not yet set up an expert committee to oversee the environmental implications of the project, despite the significant number of trees slated for removal. The meeting highlighted that the road development, which falls under the city’s broader development plan, requires separate environmental clearance, especially since it does not fall under the Mula-Mutha riverfront development scheme, for which clearance was granted in November 2024.
A key issue raised by activists was the PMC’s failure to adhere to the conditions set by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). On November 12, 2024, SEIAA approved the riverfront project with 34 strict conditions, one of which mandates the formation of an expert tree committee for any project that involves the felling of trees. Despite this directive, activists claim that the civic body proceeded with tree cutting at the road construction site in Koregaon Park without forming the mandated committee. “How can they cut down trees without following SEIAA’s condition? Additionally, the Bombay High Court is currently reviewing the demarcation of flood lines, which may require thousands of trees to be felled for the road,” said Ameet Singh, a member of Chalo PMC, Pune Samvad, a prominent citizen movement. Singh added that the trees cut so far were unnecessary for the road’s construction, raising questions about the project’s environmental impact.
PMC officials, however, have justified their actions. Mukund Shinde, the deputy engineer in charge of the project, explained that the environmental clearance granted for the Mula-Mutha riverfront development also applies to the proposed road. Shinde assured that the process of forming a tree committee is underway. A team is expected to visit the areas affected by the road construction in the coming days to determine the exact number of trees to be cut and assess which trees could be preserved or transplanted. “The committee will finalise the list of trees for removal, and we are committed to minimising the environmental impact,” he stated.
However, residents of Koregaon Park, like Sathi Nair, are worried about the wider implications of the road project. Nair expressed concern over the possibility of buildings being evacuated to make way for the road, stating that residents were not informed about these developments. “The authorities should stop dumping debris near the remaining trees and be transparent about any further plans that may affect our neighbourhood,” Nair remarked. These concerns underscore the ongoing tension between urban development and the preservation of green spaces, particularly in a city like Pune, where rapid urbanisation is putting pressure on the environment.
The debate over tree cutting for infrastructure development in Pune underscores a larger, ongoing challenge faced by cities around the world: how to balance urban expansion with environmental sustainability. The increasing demand for roads, housing, and other infrastructure often leads to the destruction of green spaces, which play a vital role in regulating air quality, cooling urban areas, and supporting biodiversity. Urban planners and authorities must recognise that sustainability is not a mere afterthought but a core consideration in the planning and execution of development projects. This is especially true for a city like Pune, where the urban heat island effect and poor air quality are significant concerns.
Sustainability advocates are urging PMC to reassess its approach to urban development, stressing the importance of adopting more eco-friendly methods such as tree transplantation and the creation of green corridors. Moreover, initiatives like the use of electric vehicles and the promotion of public transportation can reduce the need for road expansions, offering a viable alternative that does not come at the expense of Pune’s green cover.
