Special Correspondent
Pune: In an effort to offset the environmental impact of tree felling due to the ongoing road widening and flyover construction along Ganeshkhind Road, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has successfully planted 5,015 trees. This initiative, which follows months of legal scrutiny and public pressure, comes as part of the compensation measures ordered by the court and in accordance with environmental guidelines aimed at promoting sustainable urban development.
The newly planted trees, each standing at 5 to 6 feet tall, have been strategically placed at six locations spread over a 3-kilometer stretch of Ganeshkhind Road. These sites were chosen after meticulous planning, and the trees have been precisely documented with GPS tagging and photographs to ensure transparency. PMC has also established a complete registration process for the planted trees, adding a layer of accountability to the replanting effort. This action is part of a broader initiative to restore the green cover that was lost due to the roadwork project, helping to mitigate its environmental consequences.
As part of the compensatory measures, 175 trees have been planted every 5 meters along the road, further contributing to the beautification and greening of the area. Additionally, some of the trees that were removed during the construction process have been successfully relocated to alternate locations. These efforts reflect PMC’s commitment to making the road project more environmentally responsible, balancing urban development with ecological conservation.
In April 2024, the Bombay High Court had directed the PMC to compensate for the trees felled during the road expansion project. The court, which had raised concerns about the environmental impact, mandated the planting of at least 5,000 trees with a survival rate of 95%. The court also emphasized that all trees must be planted with approval from botanical experts and required the PMC to provide regular progress updates on its website for public transparency.
The compensatory tree planting initiative follows a controversial series of events. In October 2023, the Bombay High Court had put a temporary stop to further tree felling along Ganeshkhind Road, citing violations of the Maharashtra Tree Act. The felling of 192 trees had been approved hastily without proper scrutiny, leading to protests from environmental groups and local activists, who raised concerns about the potential long-term harm to the environment.
The court’s intervention marked a significant shift in the case, highlighting the growing public awareness of the need to balance development with environmental sustainability. As a result of the legal proceedings, the court directed the PMC to review the tree felling process, address public objections, and adhere to both legal procedures and environmental best practices for any future tree removals or replanting efforts.
While the recent planting of 5,015 trees is a step forward, some questions remain about the long-term success of the project and its ability to truly compensate for the environmental loss caused by the roadwork. Nevertheless, many environmentalists and concerned citizens view the tree planting as a positive outcome in the ongoing effort to protect Pune’s green spaces.
