Pune: PMRDA Cracks Down on Illegal Tree Felling, Files FIRs After 78 Trees Chopped
Pune, 9th May 2025: In a landmark move to protect its diminishing green cover, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has filed three First Information Reports (FIRs) after discovering illegal cutting of nearly 78 trees in the Sinhagad Road and Manjari Budruk areas.
Officials said the cases mark one of the first instances where PMRDA has taken legal action under tree protection laws. The FIRs were registered following complaints from alert citizens residing in the affected zones.
“We received seven complaints about unauthorized tree cutting over the past few weeks,” confirmed Mahesh Patil, PMRDA’s recently appointed Tree Officer. “Inspections were carried out, and violations were confirmed in three cases. We have now registered FIRs accordingly, while the remaining complaints are still under verification.”
The cases were filed at Nanded City and Hadapsar police stations, combining the instances of illegal felling into three formal complaints. Several of the chopped trees were saplings or not fully matured, officials noted.
Patil emphasized that tree cutting without prior approval from the authority is a serious offence. “Residents, developers, and contractors must seek permissions before tampering with green cover. Violators may face penalties of up to ₹1 lakh and imprisonment extending up to a year under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act,” he said.
According to senior officials, PMRDA has already received over 100 applications seeking permission to cut trees within its jurisdiction. These will be reviewed by the Tree Authority Committee in upcoming meetings.
The official added that until recently, the position of Tree Officer had remained vacant for months, stalling proactive enforcement. “With the position now filled, we are taking a firm stance against violations,” the official said, requesting anonymity.
Spanning over 6,900 sq km, the Pune Metropolitan Region is among the fastest growing urban territories in India, with intense real estate activity across villages and peri-urban belts. According to PMRDA data, over 73 lakh people currently reside in the region—many in rapidly developing areas where natural landscapes are increasingly at risk.
