As the protest against the proposed cutting of trees for the implementation of Riverfront Development (RFD) project hots up, the Maharashtra State Tree Authority will take a call on Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) proposal to cut over 7,000 trees.
The civic body has planned to chop down over 7,000 trees alongside Mula and Mutha river that passes through the city to make way for the project. The project is currently being executed between Sangamwadi Bridge and Bund Garden and Bund Garden to Mundhwa stretches. The work of both phases is in progress. However, since the beginning, this project has been receiving fierce opposition from tree lovers, and environmental activists.
The PMC put the ball in the court of the Maharashtra government to take a final call on the matter and the meeting will be conducted on June 30. This will be the eighth meeting regarding this matter.
Representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), State Revenue and Forest Department, Urban Development Department, and tree experts will be present for this hybrid meeting which will be held in Mumbai.
The issue of tree cutting from various districts including, Mumbai, Wardha, and Nagpur will also be discussed.
{{/usCountry}}The issue of tree cutting from various districts including, Mumbai, Wardha, and Nagpur will also be discussed.
{{/usCountry}}After being alerted of the meeting, several green activists took to social media to oppose and expressed their discontent. They appealed authorities to not give clearance for tree cutting in Pune.
“PMC has cleverly used the term ‘river revamp’ because as per the RFD project DPR, no trees are to be cut down. Tomorrow the fate of over 7,000 trees will be decided and we are keeping an eye on the authority’s decision,” said Sushma Date, an activist.