The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced that it has planted 5,015 new trees as compensation for the trees felled along Ganeshkhind Road during its widening and flyover construction project.

These trees, each 5-6 feet tall, have been planted across six locations within a 3 km radius and have been GPS-tagged, photographed, and tabulated to ensure transparency. This initiative is part of broader compensatory measures, including replanting 175 trees along Ganeshkhind Road and transplanting felled trees.

Bombay HC order

In October 2023, the Bombay High Court issued a stay on further tree cutting on Ganeshkhind Road after it was revealed that the PMC violated the Maharashtra Tree Act. The PMC had permitted the felling of 192 trees without properly addressing public objections, with permissions granted by Commissioner Vikram Kumar on the same day objections were due. This hasty decision led to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Parisar, economist Ameet Singh, and civic activist Hema Chari.

The Court, led by Chief Justice and Justice Arif Doctor, had instructed the PMC to redo the entire process, re-issue notices, and reconsider objections. The Court’s strong stance emphasized the need for the PMC to follow legal provisions and proper procedures.

The recent plantation of 5,015 trees represents a small victory for environmental advocates, but concerns about compliance and transparency persist. With over 32,600 compensatory plantations required for ongoing projects across Pune, activists demand stricter monitoring and a halt to new permissions until existing commitments are fulfilled.

Speaking with the Free Press Journal, economist Ameet Singh said, "In a welcome move, the PMC has finally begun planting trees as a compensatory measure for the incessant tree felling that has marked the widening of roads across Pune. Thousands of trees have been sacrificed in the name of development in Pune and left the city streets totally bereft of all green cover. PMC officials have confirmed that they have planted over 5,015 trees as part of the planned plantation project for the green cover loss on Ganeshkhind Road. Environmentalists welcome the change in the PMC methods of functioning and expect that this will be the new benchmark for all tree felling in Pune for development works. First, no harm is the principle that had been lost in Pune by the PMC."

Anirudh Pawaskar, Chief Superintendent Engineer, PMC Road Department, said, "We have planted 5,015 trees as compensation in the past three months. 858 trees were planted in Panchwati, 41 trees near the footpath on Ganeshkhind Road, 1,889 near the Animal Husbandry at Aundh, 447 trees at the Animal Research Centre, 356 in Wakdewadi, and the rest were planted in the peripheral areas."