Act now and save the hills or Pune might become as polluted as Delhi, say experts

This has raised the necessity of conserving available open spaces and hills in the city. Understanding this need, in 2005, the open land spaces in 23 merged villages were proposed to be reserved under the Bio-Diversity Park (BDP).

With Pune expanding rapidly and the population growing exponentially, most of the open spaces in the city, which once defined the quality of life here, are depleting very fast.

Many experts have also cautioned about the need for protecting open lands including hills in the city to prevent Pune from facing problems similar to Delhi in the future. (Rahul Raut/ HT PHOTO)

This has raised the necessity of conserving available open spaces and hills in the city. Understanding this need, in 2005, the open land spaces in 23 merged villages were proposed to be reserved under the Bio-Diversity Park (BDP).

Environmentalist Vishwambhar Choudhari said, “There are already very few open spaces left in the city. Those under the BDP should at least be conserved to prevent further environmental degradation in the city.”

Many experts have also cautioned about the need for protecting open lands including hills in the city to prevent Pune from facing problems similar to Delhi in the future.

According to urban planner Anita Benninger, the city needs 15 square metres of open land per person to mitigate pollution. This includes 3 square metres of open spaces and 12 square metres of forest land per person.

Experts believe that BDP is seen as a carbon sink for the city as the emphasis presently is on reducing the carbon emissions.