Pune, once celebrated for its verdant landscapes and ecological balance, is now grappling with a significant environmental challenge.
A recent study by researchers at MIT-World Peace University (MIT-WPU) reveals a 34% decline in the city’s carbon sequestration capacity over the past decade, primarily attributed to rapid urbanisation and the consequent loss of green cover.Between 2013 and 2022, Pune’s built-up areas expanded by 12%, leading to a substantial reduction in green spaces. This urban sprawl has not only diminished the city’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide—a major greenhouse gas—but has also weakened its flood mitigation potential by 13%.
The study underscores the disruption of natural drainage systems and unregulated construction along riversides and floodplains as significant contributors to this decline. Such developments have increased the city’s vulnerability to floods, a pressing concern given Pune’s increasingly erratic monsoon patterns.In addition to the MIT-WPU findings, the 18th Indian State Forest Report (ISFR) highlights a decrease of 82.65 sq km in green cover within Pune’s eco-sensitive areas since 2013. This loss is particularly alarming in the context of the Western Ghats, where an overall reduction of 58.22 sq km of forest cover has been observed in eco-sensitive zones over the past decade.
The city’s central regions, such as Kasba-Vishrambaug and Bhavani Peth, have been identified as areas with notably low tree counts, exacerbating the urban heat island effect and reducing air quality. In contrast, areas like Dhankawadi-Sahakarnagar boast denser green cover, emphasizing the disparity in urban planning and green space allocation.Experts advocate for urgent policy interventions to address these challenges. Recommendations include the protection and restoration of urban hills, wetlands, and riverside green buffers. Implementing ecosystem service valuation models and integrated urban planning frameworks are also suggested to ensure ecologically balanced growth informed by data.
The situation in Pune serves as a microcosm of the broader environmental challenges faced by rapidly urbanising cities in India. As urban areas continue to expand, balancing development with ecological preservation becomes imperative to ensure sustainable and livable cities for future generations.
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