Pune witnessed strong opposition on Monday as residents gathered at a public hearing in Aundh against the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) plan to cut 163 of 689 trees along the Mula riverbank in Balewadi for a riverfront development project.
The hearing saw concerns over the legality of the process, alleged procedural lapses, and the inclusion of mature and reportedly heritage trees in the felling list. Many citizens said they had taken leave from work to attend and criticised the timing and short notice of the hearing.
Several participants questioned the validity of the tree authority panel, pointing out that it has not been reconstituted following civic elections, and argued that decisions taken without a fully functional body were questionable. Concerns were also raised over changes in the tree list, with citizens alleging that revisions were made without issuing a fresh public notification or revised docket.
Environmental activists and local groups flagged errors in tree identification and classification, claiming that some species were mislabelled and that older mango trees were not properly categorised as heritage trees. They also alleged that tree age was being estimated using basic physical measurements rather than scientific methods.
Some speakers also pointed to ongoing legal and policy discussions around riverbank areas in Pune, noting that expert committees and judicial directions are currently examining whether stretches along rivers like the Mula and Mutha should be treated as deemed forest land.
The public hearing was conducted by a senior civic official in the absence of the municipal commissioner, who maintained that all procedures were being followed and that objections raised by citizens would be recorded and forwarded for further consideration. However, several attendees said the process felt procedural rather than participatory, arguing that their concerns were not being directly addressed during the hearing.