The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) proposal to fell 363 trees, including those along the stretch for Metro Line 3 and various private projects, has stirred significant opposition from citizens. This plan includes the removal of 123 trees to accommodate the Metro’s expansion from Sakalnagar to Civil Court, with an additional 240 trees slated for felling as part of various private development projects. The issue, raised during a recent hearing by the Chalo PMC — Pune Samwad group, has ignited concerns over the ecological impact and the failure to explore alternatives to tree removal.
Citizens have raised pointed objections, citing that the proposal lacks transparency and due process, as required by the Maharashtra Urban Areas Protection and Preservation of Trees Act 1975. A key concern is that the application for tree felling comes from private developers, not from landowners like PMC or Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), as stipulated by law. Activists are calling for alternative plans, emphasising that many of the trees identified for removal are mature, and their preservation could be possible with proper planning. The group has demanded a report on the transplantation success of trees felled for previous Metro projects, as the past record has been disappointing.
The matter is compounded by the failure of past Metro projects to successfully transplant trees, with reports indicating that many trees were lost due to improper transplantation, especially in areas with concrete-laden roots like Ganeshkhind Road. While the Metro’s Line 3 team claims to have transplanted over 1,200 trees and planted 6,000, citizens are unconvinced. They insist on a more comprehensive report and stronger assurances regarding the survival rate of transplanted trees, as well as measures to compensate for the ecological impact of tree removal.
From a sustainability perspective, these protests highlight the growing tension between urban development and environmental conservation. The felling of trees in a rapidly growing city like Pune not only contributes to the loss of urban greenery but also impacts air quality and biodiversity. Citizens argue that alternatives, such as better planning for tree transplantation and compensation planting, should be prioritised to protect the city’s green cover and ensure a more sustainable future for all. This issue underscores the need for more transparent and ecologically responsible development strategies, balancing urban growth with environmental preservation.
