Pune Protests: have been taken to the streets in protest against the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) decision to cut 439 trees for Phase 1 of the Pune Riverfront Development Project. The PCMC issued a public notice on February 21 announcing the tree-cutting plan while promising the replantation of 681 trees. However, environmental activists and locals remain unconvinced, citing lack of transparency and inadequate research in the decision-making process.
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Environmentalists and concerned residents argue that the data provided by PCMC is insufficient and lacks scientific backing. Some activists, including Prashant Raul, a well-known green activist, visited the PCMC office to seek additional information. However, they claim that the corporation failed to present concrete research or expert evaluations justifying the large-scale tree felling.
Prashant Raul criticized PCMC’s approach, stating, “The PCMC does not have a dedicated expert committee for environmental impact assessment. Their casual approach to tree transplantation shows a lack of knowledge and planning.”
While PCMC has assured the public of replanting more trees than it is cutting, activists argue that tree transplantation is a complex process requiring expert supervision. They believe that without proper execution, the survival rate of transplanted trees remains low, leading to irreversible environmental damage.
With rising public outrage, protests are expected to intensify in the coming days. Citizens and environmentalists demand that PCMC:Conduct a proper environmental impact assessment, Form a panel of independent environmental experts,Ensure transparency in decision-making
The protests highlights the ongoing conflict between urban development and environmental conservation. As the Pune Riverfront Project moves forward, all eyes are now on PCMC’s next steps and whether they will reconsider their approach in response to public pressure.
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