Pune’s Ramnadi-Mula Devrai May Be Declared Community Reserve Amid Development Threat
Pune, 9th April 2025: In a significant development for environmental conservation in Pune, the forest department has called for an immediate suspension of riverfront development work impacting the ecologically sensitive devrai (sacred grove) located at the confluence of the Ramnadi and Mula rivers.
The recommendation follows a site inspection led by Range Forest Officer Manoj Barbole, who, in a detailed report to the Conservator of Forests in Pune, emphasized the biodiversity value of the eight-hectare grove and recommended that it be officially declared a community reserve.
“Over the past months, many citizens and environmental groups have raised serious concerns about threats to this sacred grove. Our visit confirmed that the area hosts rich biodiversity, including numerous Schedule-1 and Schedule-2 species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In line with the Supreme Court’s directive from December 18, 2023, the devrai must be surveyed, demarcated, and granted protection status,” Barbole stated in the report.
The move comes after the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change intervened on March 7, acting on a citizen complaint regarding large-scale tree felling and degradation of riverbank ecosystems for the ongoing riverfront development project.
Ancient Trees and Rare Birds Under Threat
The inspection revealed a dense patch of heritage trees, many of which appear to have been marked for removal by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The report also documented several rare and migratory birds, such as the grey heron, purple heron, Indian pond heron, common kingfisher, greater coucal, and the cinnamon bittern—some of which are nesting in trees near the riverbanks.
Additionally, the team found remnants of cultural heritage, including three ancient temples and stone-carved sculptures believed to be over a century old.
Forest Department Steps In
Deputy Conservator of Forests Mahadev Mohite confirmed that based on Barbole’s findings, the department will request the PMC to pause any work affecting the devrai zone and initiate discussions to revise project plans.
“We are treating this site as a priority. The devrai is a biodiversity hotspot and must be protected. We will be writing to the PMC asking them to stop all work in the area and to explore alternate alignments that leave the grove untouched,” said Mohite. “Once the survey is completed, we will move ahead with legal procedures to designate this site as a community reserve.”
The forest department is also expected to submit an action-taken report to the central government in response to its March directive.
Citizen Resistance Grows
The campaign to save the devrai has seen growing support from residents and environmental groups. Vandana Chaudhary, a local resident, had raised the alarm with the central ministry on February 5, citing concerns over the proposed felling of more than 1,000 trees and the ecological disruption of the riverbank.
