HomeLatestPune to Trim Dangerous Trees on Private Land After Fatal Incidents

Pune to Trim Dangerous Trees on Private Land After Fatal Incidents

In the wake of two tragic deaths caused by tree falls within city limits, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated a citywide tree safety drive that now extends to private properties.

The move, which follows a public outcry and intensifying scrutiny over civic inaction, marks a significant shift in the municipal garden department’s policy on jurisdiction and public safety responsibilities. The decision was triggered by two separate incidents within a span of one week — one in Karvenagar and the other near Neelayam Cinema in Sadashiv Peth — where large trees collapsed, leading to the deaths of unsuspecting citizens. Both trees, now under post-incident review, were found to be exotic species that, while visually healthy, were structurally unstable.

According to officials, the additional municipal commissioner convened an urgent review meeting with the garden department and ward-level staff after the fatalities drew strong public criticism. The department has now been instructed to inspect, prune, or remove hazardous trees, even if located within private compounds or residential societies, especially when branches overhang onto public spaces or roads. Historically, the civic body has avoided intervening on private properties due to jurisdictional ambiguity. However, officials acknowledged that inaction in such cases is no longer a viable position. The municipal garden department has begun revising its operational procedures to prioritise lives and infrastructure over bureaucratic boundaries.

Experts from the garden department confirmed that the fallen trees involved in both fatal cases were of foreign origin. Despite their seemingly healthy appearance, the trees were not suited to the city’s changing soil and climatic conditions. “We cannot afford to indiscriminately remove all exotic species,” a senior official explained. “But we must assess which among them pose a structural threat, especially those with shallow root systems or ageing trunks.” In a move towards decentralisation, the PMC has designated ward-level agencies responsible for tree trimming and maintenance. These agencies are now mandated to act on complaints and can be engaged directly by residents for authorised pruning activities, provided they obtain clearance from the garden department. The civic body has also urged citizens to report overgrown or leaning trees, especially those interfering with electrical wires or bordering public roads.

However, there remains a growing sense of dissatisfaction among residents over what is perceived as the garden department’s slow response time and inconsistent approach. In Sahakarnagar, residents claim that prior requests to address potentially dangerous trees were ignored unless monetary payment was offered. In another instance, a senior citizen in Deccan expressed concern over not having any clear channel to escalate complaints, particularly in the absence of elected corporators since the local body’s term ended. This communication gap is being recognised as a critical weakness in the city’s pre-monsoon preparedness. With elections still pending and administrative decisions centralised, many citizens feel unsupported in resolving immediate civic hazards.

Urban forestry and sustainability experts argue that while trimming and removal of hazardous trees is essential, it must go hand in hand with strategic replanting and biodiversity planning. “Pune has an aging tree canopy, much of which comprises fast-growing exotic species planted decades ago without long-term ecological planning,” a local environmentalist noted. “Today’s crisis is a direct consequence of those decisions.” With climate unpredictability increasing the risk of sudden storms and high-speed winds, urban tree management is no longer just a beautification agenda — it has become a matter of public safety and climate resilience. The PMC’s revised approach acknowledges this shift, aiming to pre-empt disasters through proactive interventions.

The civic body has also committed to conducting regular audits of tree health in public spaces and has sought community participation in identifying at-risk trees. While ward offices will serve as the first point of contact, residents have also been encouraged to engage local housing societies to address trees within their own boundaries. There is now a wider call for Pune to develop an integrated urban greening policy that not only maintains tree cover but aligns with broader goals of sustainable city development, zero net carbon targets, and climate adaptation. Citizens’ voices and grassroots organisations have a key role to play in shaping a future where green infrastructure is both beautiful and safe.

While the deaths caused by falling trees have deeply shaken the community, they have also prompted a necessary reckoning with urban forestry practices and civic accountability. As Pune races against the monsoon timeline, the focus now lies on timely action, better coordination, and sustainable planning that balances ecological richness with human safety.

Also Read : Kerala Schools Close as IMD Sounds Weather Alarm

Pune to Trim Dangerous Trees on Private Land After Fatal Incidents
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