PMC’s negligence in tree protection creates frustration among residents 

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Garden Department’s negligence has created frustration among the people living near the Kondhwa area of the city. Citizens have raised concerns about illegal cutting of trees, lack of maintenance, and so on, but in this regard no action has been taking place for over a decade. Citizen activist Jaymala Dhankikar has drawn attention to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to take immediate action against officials who are responsible for this negligence.

Jaymala Dhankikar went on to say that violations, including illegal tree cutting in broad daylight, no care of trees, and no protective iron rings around trees, can be commonly seen. Sometimes fully grown trees have been felled, but no FIRs have been registered. This violates the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975.

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Several roadside trees are drying up because of the lack of a watering facility. PMC’s tree planting efforts are meaningless and useless. There are no protective iron rings around trees in the NIBM Annexe area. Therefore, trees are being badly damaged. Local residents think that PMC officials and private contractors are involved in corrupt practices.

The PMC’s Garden Department has failed to protect the environment. Urgent action needs to be taken to restore public trust and safeguard the green space of the city. The ball is now in the government’s court, and residents are hoping that the matter will go in their favour and improvement is expected to take place soon.