Pune: In a startling revelation, Adv. Krunnal Gharre from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has brought forth serious allegations of large-scale corruption and environmental violations within the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Tree Authority. Documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, along with independent investigations, point to a staggering misuse of public funds and a devastating impact on Pune’s green landscape.
Between April 2022 and December 2023, records indicate that a total of 22,362 trees were either cut down or transplanted. However, there is a complete absence of records for the legally mandated compensatory plantation of 3,40,599 trees—raising grave concerns about regulatory compliance. Financial mismanagement also appears rampant, with PMC departments reportedly being given arbitrary exemptions amounting to ₹13.4 crore in security deposits. Additionally, the proceeds from timber sales have mysteriously gone unaccounted for.
One of the most alarming aspects of this expose is the dubious classification of heritage trees. Out of over 22,000 trees impacted, only 45 were identified as “Heritage Trees”—a designation typically reserved for trees over 50 years old. This suggests potential falsification of tree age records, implying that Pune had virtually no mature trees prior to 1980—a clearly flawed and misleading notion.
Environmental activist Mukund Kirdat emphasized that the neglect of ecological responsibilities and poor policy execution isn’t limited to Pune but is symptomatic of a broader issue across Maharashtra. Supporting the call for justice, AAP Pune City President Sudarshan Jagdale condemned what he described as a corrupt alliance between political figures and contractors. “This is not just misgovernance—it’s a betrayal of our city’s future. Environmental destruction is being traded for private profit,” he stated.
Advocate Gharre vowed to pursue every available legal channel to uphold environmental laws and protect public interest. He appealed to citizens to unite in demanding transparency and accountability. “The time to act is now,” he declared, insisting on immediate investigations and strict enforcement of compensatory planting regulations.
The press conference was attended by key AAP members including Amit Mhaske, Aarti Karanjawane, Subhash Karande, Shantanu Pande, Nikhil Khandare, Ajinkya Jagdale, and Satyan Nashikkar, all voicing unified support for urgent environmental action and governance reform.
The scandal underscores a growing concern over the prioritization of short-term commercial interests over sustainable urban development, as Pune’s environmental heritage stands at a critical crossroads.
