The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has introduced a groundbreaking regulation to preserve tree cover amid the region’s ongoing development projects. This new rule requires developers to secure approval from the newly established Tree Authority Committee before they receive their construction completion certificates.
Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase champions this initiative, which aims to integrate environmental conservation into urban development practices. The Tree Authority Committee, set up under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation and Protection of Trees Act, 1975, enforces this regulation. Developers must obtain a completion certificate from the Tree Authority before they can proceed with final occupancy or no-objection certificates related to tree cutting. This approach ensures that tree conservation remains central to the construction approval process.
This new mandate underscores PMRDA’s commitment to environmental sustainability within its extensive jurisdiction, which primarily covers rural areas. The regulations stipulate that developers who fail to meet the required tree plantation guidelines must deposit a security amount per tree. The Tree Authority will reassess this deposit at the time of the final inspection and refund it based on the condition of the trees.
Dr. Yogesh Mhase and the Tree Authority Committee emphasise that these measures are part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable development in the PMRDA region. This initiative seeks to balance urban growth with environmental conservation, ensuring that new projects positively impact the region’s ecological health.
The new rules are set to significantly influence construction practices by encouraging developers to integrate green practices into their projects. By linking the approval process to tree conservation, the PMRDA sets a precedent for harmonising urban development with environmental stewardship. This approach not only benefits the local ecosystem but also aligns with broader goals of sustainable and responsible development.
