The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced a land compensation plan as part of the controversial Riverfront Development (RFD) project along the Mutha River. In a recent proposal, PMC revealed that the RFD project will impact 11.09 hectares of forest land situated between the Ghorpadi and Vadgaonsheri villages. To compensate for this loss, an equivalent amount of barren land in Purandar taluka’s Kodit village has been designated for the Forest Department.
The PMC will allocate Rs 2.35 crore to the district Revenue Department for the required works on this land, ensuring a smooth transfer and management process. The Forest Department has committed to carrying out an afforestation programme on the new site, following discussions among various governmental bodies. The plan includes the plantation of approximately 1,111 trees per hectare, with an estimated cost of Rs 8.45 lakh per hectare. A portion of the allocated funds, Rs 93.72 lakh, will be specifically used for this afforestation initiative, while Rs 3.9 lakh will be spent on land demarcation. The remaining amount, Rs 1.38 crore, covers the valuation of the land.
This decision follows significant criticism of the RFD project, particularly concerning its environmental impact. The affected forest land along the Mutha River has been a point of contention among environmentalists and local communities. The PMC’s move to offer barren land as compensation aims to mitigate these concerns and adhere to legal requirements for environmental protection. The situation has been further complicated by the recent flooding incident, where the release of 35,000 cusecs of water from the Khadakwasla dam into the Mutha River resulted in significant damage and loss of life. The district administration’s handling of the flood situation has been under scrutiny, amplifying the public’s critical view of the PMC’s management strategies, including the execution of the RFD project.
The Kodit village gram panchayat had initially opposed the transfer of government land to the Forest Department. The district administration, to preclude any potential disputes, conducted the land measurement and demarcation process under police protection. This action underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the land compensation issue and the broader implications of the RFD project on local communities and environmental conservation efforts.
As the PMC moves forward with the RFD project, it faces the challenge of balancing urban development with environmental stewardship. The land compensation agreement is a step towards addressing these concerns, though the successful implementation and long-term impact of these measures remain to be seen. The PMC’s actions will be closely monitored by both the public and environmental advocacy groups as the city navigates this complex developmental landscape.
