Pune: PMC Plants 5,015 Trees as Compensation for Ganeshkhind Road Tree Felling

Shivajinagar, 17th January 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced the plantation of 5,015 new trees as compensation for the trees felled along Ganeshkhind Road during its widening and flyover construction project. These trees, each 5-6 feet tall, have been planted across six locations within a 3 km radius and have been GPS-tagged, photographed, and tabulated to ensure transparency.
This initiative is part of broader compensatory measures, including replanting 175 trees along Ganeshkhind Road and transplanting felled trees. While the plantation marks progress, it comes against the backdrop of harsh criticism and legal action from the Bombay High Court, which expressed dissatisfaction with PMC’s compliance regarding its April 2024 orders.
The orders had mandated the transplantation of felled trees, compensatory plantation of 5,000 trees with a 95% survival rate, street-side plantation approved by a botanical expert, and regular updates on the PMC website. In October 2023, the Bombay High Court issued a stay on further tree cutting on Ganeshkhind Road after it was revealed that the PMC violated the Maharashtra Tree Act.
The PMC had permitted the felling of 192 trees without properly addressing public objections, with permissions granted by Commissioner Vikram Kumar on the same day objections were due. This hasty decision led to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Parisar, economist Ameet Singh, and civic activist Hema Chari. The Court, led by Chief Justice and Justice Arif Doctor, had instructed the PMC to redo the entire process, re-issue notices, and reconsider objections.
The Court’s strong stance emphasized the need for PMC to follow legal provisions and proper procedures. The recent plantation of 5,015 trees represents a small victory for environmental advocates, but concerns about compliance and transparency persist. With over 32,600 compensatory plantations required for ongoing projects across Pune, activists demand stricter monitoring and a halt to new permissions until existing commitments are fulfilled.
As Pune grapples with rapid urbanization, the balance between development and sustainability hangs in the balance. The legal interventions, combined with public vigilance, offer hope for preserving the city’s green cover and ecological heritage.