Pune: Despite the rising pollution levels in Pimpri-Chinchwad, official records from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) reveal that 1,268 trees have been cut down in the past eight months for various development and construction activities. This large-scale deforestation has underscored its contribution to worsening air pollution, sparking concerns among environmentalists and local residents.

Key development projects, including the Metro route from Nigdi to Pimpri, road widening, private construction, footpath development, and hoarding installations, have been identified as major contributors to the deforestation.

PCMC regulations mandate the plantation of five trees for every tree cut, with a ₹10,000 deposit required for each felled tree. The deposit is refunded only after three years if the planted trees are properly maintained. However, activists claim that poor care of these newly planted trees often leads to their premature death.

In response to the felling, the Garden Department reported that 45,200 new trees were planted since April 2024. Land is provided for planting, and deposits are refunded only after verifying the saplings' survival.

Environmentalists argue that the current deposit system undervalues the ecological benefits provided by mature trees. Activist Prashant Raul pointed out that even legally transplanted trees often die due to negligence, resulting in a greater net loss of greenery.

Residents have raised concerns about unchecked tree cutting in areas like Wakad, Hinjewadi, and Pimple Saudagar for hoarding installations, alleging inaction by the Garden Department despite repeated complaints.

Frequent deforestation, coupled with inadequate tree care, has led to worsening air pollution in Pimpri-Chinchwad. While PCMC allocates significant funds to clean air initiatives, the continued loss of mature trees raises questions about the effectiveness of such programs.