Pune 11th June 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Pune Municipal Corporation's Tree Authority of widespread corruption, environmental negligence, and financial fraud. At a press conference on Monday, Adv. Krunnal Gharre presented evidence obtained through RTI documents, alleging severe violations of environmental laws and administrative procedures.
According to the information shared, between April 2022 and December 2023, a total of 22,362 trees were either cut down or transplanted in Pune. However, there is no record of the mandatory compensatory plantation of 3,40,599 trees. AAP leaders claim this has led to an estimated environmental loss of ₹2,000 crores and a financial mismanagement of over ₹125 crores, including missing timber sale proceeds and uncollected security deposits.
One of the most alarming revelations was that only 45 trees were officially recognized as “Heritage Trees” — meaning they are over 50 years old. “This is laughable,” said Adv. Gharre. “It implies that Pune was almost treeless before 1980, which is a clear manipulation of data to bypass environmental regulations.”
The RTI also showed that PMC departments were exempted from ₹13.4 crores in security deposit requirements arbitrarily. AAP leaders argue that this not only reflects negligence but indicates a deep-rooted political-contractor nexus focused on profits rather than sustainability.
AAP City President Sudarshan Jagdale called it a “systemic failure,” stating, “This is not just about Pune. The same model of destruction is being repeated across Maharashtra. It shows the lack of environmental vision in our political leadership.”
Mukund Kirdat, a known civic activist, emphasized that this large-scale destruction highlights the urgent need for transparency and implementation of green laws. Adv. Gharre vowed to pursue legal action: “We will not stop until the responsible officials are held accountable, compensatory plantations are enforced, and justice is served.”
Other AAP leaders present at the event included Amit Mhaske, Aarti Karanjawane, Subhash Karande, Shantanu Pande, Nikhil Khandare, Ajinkya Jagdale, and Satyan Nashikkar.
The party has demanded an immediate investigation, criminal accountability, and urgent corrective measures to protect Pune’s rapidly vanishing green cover.
