Pune: The social organization 'Pratyancha' has raised concerns about the role of the Municipal Corporation's Tree Authority Committee, questioning whether it is dedicated to tree conservation or tree cutting.

The organization has urged the Pune Municipal Commissioner to take action against officers who have neglected the replanting of trees that have been uprooted in various parts of the city. Additionally, they demand the publication of a white paper on tree cutting activities.

Recent tree uprooting incidents in Yerawada and Wanawadi have highlighted significant negligence by the tree officers in replanting efforts. In response, Rupesh Kesekar, the head of NGO 'Pratyancha,' submitted a statement to Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale, calling for immediate action against the responsible officers.

Kesekar pointed out that the Municipal Commissioner chairs the Tree Authority Committee, with Ward Officers acting as tree officers. He cited the rampant concretization and unrestricted road digging as primary causes of the numerous tree uprooting incidents in the city.

"In the past five years, the committee has granted permission for the cutting of fifty thousand trees. This raises the question of whether the committee is truly committed to tree conservation or merely facilitating tree cutting," Kesekar stated.

He further demanded that the Pune Municipal Corporation publish a white paper to disclose the annual tree planting efforts made as compensation for the trees that have been cut or uprooted.