Pimpri-Chinchwad: Unauthorized 33 Tree Felling Reported Amid Mula River Rejuvenation Work; Investigation Underway
Pimpri, 5th April 2025: Even as the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has begun work on the ambitious Mula River Rejuvenation Project, a case of unauthorized tree felling has come to light. A total of 33 trees along the riverbanks have been felled without permission, prompting the Garden Department to file a formal complaint with the Sangvi Police Station.
The complaint was lodged under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act by Assistant Garden Officer Anil Gaikwad. Following this, an FIR has been registered against unidentified individuals.
The river rejuvenation project, worth ₹200 crore, is being executed with funds raised through bonds. The first phase of the project spans from Wakad Bypass to the bridge at Sangvi. During this phase, environmental activists reported illegal tree cutting near Pimple Nilakh, leading officials from the Garden Department to conduct an on-site inspection.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that 21 trees had been felled near Panchsheel Nagar and Ingwale Chowk along the Mula River in Pimple Nilakh. These included two River Tamarind (Subabhul), one Neem, and 17 Thorny Acacia (Kateri Babhul) trees. Additionally, 12 more trees were found cut down near the Pimple Nilakh crematorium. These comprised two Thorny Acacia (Kateri Babhul), three River Tamarind (Subabhul), five Pongam Tree (Karanj), one Ficus (Umber), and one Elaichi Chinch (Wild Tamarind) tree.
Assistant Commissioner of the Garden Department, Umesh Dhakane, confirmed that the trees were cut without the required permissions and that a formal complaint has been registered with Sangvi Police Station. The investigation is currently underway to identify those responsible for the illegal act.
