Pune MLA demands clearing of tree stumps in 2 days, faces wrath of environmentalists

Residents as well as tree lovers have began a chain SMS service of sharing the MLA’s number and requesting people from across his constituency to send him a ‘Get Well Soon’ message.

Three days after 11 fully grown trees, including a 150-year-old banyan tree, between Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and Bremen chowk on Sunday, the local MLA from Shivajinagar has now demanded the tree trunks be uprooted and cleared from near the university wall within two days.

Trees recently cut by Pune Municipal Corporation officials on the University stretch for road widening work. (Rahul Raut/HT PHOTO)

MLA Vijay Kale who went on a survey of the Raj Bhavan Marg along with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials, ordered the officials to remove the leftover stumps and tree trunks within two days.

“I take regular rounds of my area to check for pending works and if these tree trunks and stumps can be cleared fast, it would help expedite the road widening work, thus ease traffic problems near the SPPU gate,” Kale told HT.

This action has enraged environmentalists, residents as well as tree lovers who have began a chain SMS service of sharing the MLA’s number and requesting residents from across his constituency to send him a ‘Get Well Soon’ message.

They have also planned a silent protest to protect the remaining portion of the banyan tree, each wearing a red ribbon as a sign of protest.

According to Survarna Akhegaonkar, member of Green Pune NGO, “I don’t think he (Kale) has a right to say such a thing when we have been fighting to save the trees. Our suggestions have fallen on deaf ears.”