689 Trees Face Axe for Pune Riverfront Plan

The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) Riverfront Development (RFD) project has ignited controversy, drawing objections from residents and environmental activists over the planned felling of 689 trees. These trees are slated for removal along the riverfront stretch between Wakad Bypass and Sangvi Bridge, part of RFD stretches 1, 2, and 3 within PMC limits.

Residents argue that the scale of tree removal could irrevocably damage the river's ecosystem and biodiversity. Concerns include the impact of concretisation on natural habitats and the potential for increased flooding if riverbanks are narrowed. Many of the affected trees are decades old, some estimated to be over a century, raising questions about their ecological and environmental value, especially amidst rising temperatures.

Environmentalists advocate for classifying riverbank ecosystems as riparian forests to enforce stricter regulations. They suggest that river rejuvenation should prioritize pollution control before large-scale infrastructure projects. Activists and residents are urging the PMC to adopt more eco-sensitive development methods, emphasizing sustainable practices over extensive construction that could disrupt existing natural balances.

The PMC tree officer stated that all objections submitted by Friday would be reviewed. A decision on the proposal will be made after discussions address residents' concerns. The civic body is gathering data on each tree and will proceed with felling only if transplantation is unfeasible and removal is unavoidable for the project's execution.