The Pune Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has taken action against illegal tree cutting near the Mula River on March 24, 2025. They found that 21 trees were cut down without permission. These trees included three Subabul, one Neem, and 17 thorny Babul trees.
The complaint was made by Anil Gaikwad, a PCMC garden department official. This action is important for protecting trees and the environment. It shows that people care about keeping trees safe, especially with the Mula River Rejuvenation and Improvement Project happening. This project has raised concerns about how building things can harm nature.
This isn't the first time illegal tree cutting has happened. Earlier, on January 13, 2025, some workers were caught cutting branches without permission. These events have made local environmental groups and city officials more alert. They're now asking for better rules to stop illegal tree cutting.
Environmental activist Prashant Raul criticized PCMC for filing a non-cognisable complaint instead of a formal report. He thinks that stronger laws are needed to protect trees from being cut down without permission.
PCMC's assistant commissioner, Umesh Dhakne, said they'll work better with police to stop illegal tree cutting. They're also putting more checks in place to prevent this from happening again.
This situation shows how important it's to find a balance between building new things and protecting the environment. Losing 21 trees, especially important ones like Neem and Babul, can harm local wildlife. This case may lead to stronger rules for protecting trees in future building projects.
