Pune: NGT Seeks Detailed Report from PMC on Tree Cutting, Compensatory Plantation
Pune, 18th December 2025: The Western Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to submit a detailed report on all tree-cutting permissions granted and compensatory plantation carried out since 2022.
The civic body was earlier given three months to submit the information but sought additional time, citing the large volume of data involved. The tribunal has now granted a further two weeks, and the matter will be heard next on February 11.
The petition was filed in June by Pune-based environmental activist Krunal Gharre, who is involved in tree and river conservation efforts. During a hearing in September, the NGT had instructed the PMC to submit the report within three months. However, at the hearing held on December 3, the PMC requested an extension, which was granted.
In its order dated December 8 and uploaded on December 9, the tribunal also directed the PMC to include details of all tree-cutting permissions issued from December till the next date of hearing.
Speaking on the issue, Gharre said he had filed his first RTI application in January 2024 seeking information on tree-cutting permissions and compensatory plantation undertaken by the PMC. “The initial response stated that the information was not available. After filing a first appeal, we were asked to collect the data from individual ward offices. We compiled the information and submitted it along with our petition to the NGT. It will be interesting to see what the PMC presents in its report,” he said.
