• Login
Upgrade
dcnmaharashtra.news
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Maharashtra
  • National
  • Pune
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Health
  • Sports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Maharashtra
  • National
  • Pune
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Health
  • Sports
No Result
View All Result
dcnmaharashtra.news
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Maharashtra
  • National
  • Crime
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Pune
Home Uncategorized

Mula River Project Sparks Environmental Concerns Wildlife at Risk

Desk_dcn by Desk_dcn
May 1, 2025
in Uncategorized
0
Mula River Project Sparks Environmental Concerns Wildlife at Risk
207
SHARES
102
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Pune: The Mula River development initiative is under fire from environmentalists and citizens who claim that ongoing work along the riverbanks is putting native wildlife and bird species in serious danger. Activists allege that the project violates the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, by disrupting the natural habitat of protected animals such as the grey mongoose, Indian flying fox, Russell’s viper, cobra, monitor lizard, and Indian flapshell turtle.

In addition to these species, various local birds and native fish are also believed to be at risk due to the construction activities. Conservationist Anand Paranjpe has demanded an immediate cessation of the project and the removal of encroachments along the river’s edges. He stressed the need to preserve the biodiversity-rich stretch from Wakad to Sangvi and urged authorities to restore the natural riverine environment.

Paranjpe raised these concerns in a letter addressed to Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh. Citing a complaint filed on March 7 by Vandana Chaudhary on the PMOPG portal, he noted that the Ram-Mula confluence should be declared a ‘Community Reserve’ or Devrai. The Mula River improvement project, which spans 88 kilometres across both banks, passes through ecologically sensitive areas that host a wide range of wildlife.

Despite clear directives from the divisional commissioner, critics say the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic administrations have shown little urgency in addressing the ecological impact of the riverbank beautification.

In response to citizen pressure, the Pune Municipal Corporation has expressed openness to conserving the Ram-Mula confluence and intends to work alongside the Forest Department to establish it as a protected Devrai. This decision follows environmental complaints submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

The River Rescue Action Committee, along with other citizen groups, continues to demand greater transparency, environmental responsibility, and community participation in river development efforts. They have consistently advocated for conservation-based planning over destructive construction.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued formal notices to several departments, including the Environment Department of PMC, the chief engineer of PCMC, and the executive engineer of the Khadakwasla Irrigation Division. These notices warn against activities such as dumping soil and stones in the riverbed, diverting the natural flow of the Ram and Mula Rivers, and causing unauthorised encroachments—all of which pose a threat to the ecological balance of the region.

These regulatory actions were prompted by detailed complaints submitted by environmentalists Shailaja Deshpande, Shubha Kulkarni, Pushkar Kulkarni, and Prachi Wakale to the Ram and Mula River Management and Restoration Committee, which includes members from both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies.

Despite widespread public opposition, the PCMC has not paused the work. Around 2,000 people recently participated in a protest march along the Mula River in Pimple Nilakh, expressing strong objections to what they described as the destruction of the river’s natural environment. The demonstrators raised issues such as illegal tree cutting, unauthorised riverbed filling, and sand mining.

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode met with the protestors and instructed the municipal commissioner to immediately halt the project. However, Commissioner Shekhar Singh stood firm, asserting that all necessary approvals were in place and confirming that the work would proceed as planned.

As the conflict between development and conservation deepens, concerned citizens and environmental activists continue to call for a more balanced, ecologically sensitive approach to urban river restoration.

Tags: Anand ParanjpeAnna BansodeBiodiversityCitizen ProtestDevraiEco-sensitive ZoneEnvironmental ProtestMaharashtra Pollution Control BoardMula RiverPimpri-Chinchwad Municipal CorporationpmcPune EnvironmentRam-Mula ConfluenceRiver ConservationRiver EncroachmentRiver RestorationSand MiningShekhar Singh.tree cuttingUrban DevelopmentWildlife Protection Act
Previous Post

Policy Shift Leaves Pune Uber Auto Users Frustrated Over Fare Discrepancies

Next Post

Commercial LPG Cylinder Prices Reduced Again from May 1 No Relief for Domestic Users

Desk_dcn

Desk_dcn

Related Posts

43rd Annual India-Day Parade Celebrates Cultural Heritage and Unity on Madison Avenue, NYC
Uncategorized

43rd Annual India-Day Parade Celebrates Cultural Heritage and Unity on Madison Avenue, NYC

by admin
August 21, 2025
General Merit List for Engineering Admissions Announced Six Students Score 100 Percentile in PCM
Uncategorized

General Merit List for Engineering Admissions Announced Six Students Score 100 Percentile in PCM

by Desk_dcn
July 21, 2025
Citizens Slam PMC Traffic Police Over Neglected VIP Airport Road Stretch
Uncategorized

Citizens Slam PMC Traffic Police Over Neglected VIP Airport Road Stretch

by Desk_dcn
June 14, 2025
Severe Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad – Around 242 Passengers Onboard
National

Severe Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad – Around 242 Passengers Onboard

by Desk_dcn
June 12, 2025
Plea Filed to Cancel Rahul Gandhis Bail Over Remarks on Savarkar Satyaki Savarkar Accuses Him of Avoiding Chargesheet Response
Uncategorized

Plea Filed to Cancel Rahul Gandhis Bail Over Remarks on Savarkar Satyaki Savarkar Accuses Him of Avoiding Chargesheet Response

by Desk_dcn
May 10, 2025
Next Post
Commercial LPG Cylinder Prices Reduced Again from May 1 No Relief for Domestic Users

Commercial LPG Cylinder Prices Reduced Again from May 1 No Relief for Domestic Users

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Premium Content

MahaRERA to Hold Open Houses in Nagpur and Pune for Housing Project Registration

MahaRERA to Hold Open Houses in Nagpur and Pune for Housing Project Registration

January 19, 2025
RainThunderstorms Forecast for Maharashtra IMD Issues Alerts for 25 Districts Including Mumbai and Pune

RainThunderstorms Forecast for Maharashtra IMD Issues Alerts for 25 Districts Including Mumbai and Pune

May 17, 2025
Rising Criminal Activities in Beed: Public Representatives Seek Enhanced Security Following Sarpanch’s Murder

BJP MLA Suresh Dhas Raises Concerns Over Dhananjay Munde’s Financial Dealings and Assets

January 7, 2025
Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode Seen Celebrating Birthday with Notorious Criminal Akya Bond

Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode Seen Celebrating Birthday with Notorious Criminal Akya Bond

May 6, 2025
Speeding Dumper Overturns on Two-Wheeler, Two Female Students Killed

Speeding Dumper Overturns on Two-Wheeler, Two Female Students Killed

January 24, 2025
Rare Otter Sighting Near Pune’s Mula River Sparks Conservation Concerns

Rare Otter Sighting Near Pune’s Mula River Sparks Conservation Concerns

January 8, 2025
Pune Businessman Killed in Patna After Falling Victim to Cyber Fraud Trap

Pune Businessman Killed in Patna After Falling Victim to Cyber Fraud Trap

April 15, 2025
Pune Police Recover 456 Lost Mobile Phones, Return Them to Citizens

Pune Police Recover 456 Lost Mobile Phones, Return Them to Citizens

February 15, 2025
Farmer Arrested for Growing 218 Opium Plants in Dehu Road Area

Farmer Arrested for Growing 218 Opium Plants in Dehu Road Area

February 28, 2025

© 2025

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Maharashtra
  • National
  • Pune
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Health
  • Sports

© 2025