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‘River is our superstar’: Hundreds gather at Baner to protest Pune RFD project

As the marchers converged on the dry riverbed, they saw the work going on on the PCMC side and heard volunteers explaining the plans by the PMC.

Hundreds gathered at the Kalmadi School in Baner for the Chipko River March on February 9. (Express Image by Pavan Khengre)

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star / river is our superstar” – This was just one of the slogans that rang out as hundreds gathered at the Kalmadi School in Baner for the Chipko River March on February 9. Improvised slogans, songs, chants, placards and face paints spelled out the message that the Riverfront Development project (RFD) of the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pune Chinchwad Municipal Corporation did not have the support of a large number of citizens whom it is supposed to benefit.

The non-political march culminated at the Ram-Mula confluence. Actor Sayaji Shinde, who was a part of the march, said, “It is encouraging to see so many people speaking up for the river and the trees. It is necessary to save the river for future generations.”

Actor-activist Sayaji Shinde participated in ‘Chipko’ Movement to save trees at Ram-Mula Confluence in Baner on Sunday. Pune River Revival- a citizen’s movement to save trees and rivers of the city. (Express Photo By Pavan Khengre)

Another important figure was Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist from Ladakh, who had fasted to draw attention to the environmental fragility of Ladakh in 2024. “I am here to thank the people of Pune. They care about the rivers and trees. They also raised their voices when I was protesting for Ladakh. I have come here to support them and to draw inspiration from their effort to protect the rivers,” said Wangchuk. At the end of the march, he would tell the crowd that as India was a democratic country, the people had voted with their feet today by marching. “You have voted for clean air, the river and trees,” he said to applause.

Volunteers distributed postcards on which the public wrote messages to the Prime Minister. (Express Image by Pavan Khengre)

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Another eminent face was former mayor and MP Vandana Chavan, “It is evident that there’s going to be flooding when rainfall or excess water comes in. We have seen this happen in this area before, in 2019, when water had got into Jupiter Hospital and many bungalows and buildings. People had to be evacuated by boat. We have written and spoken to many decision makers. They were busy with elections but now they have to take some steps. They must come down and see what is happening and stop the work,” said Chavan.

Renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk said the people of Pune care about the rivers and trees. (Express Image by Pavan Khengre)

As the marchers converged on the dry riverbed, they saw the work going on on the PCMC side and heard volunteers explaining the plans by the PMC. People hugged the trees that had been marked by the PMC for possible cutting. Parents took photos as their children spread their arms and embraced the told trees. Volunteers distributed postcards on which the public wrote messages to the Prime Minister. Bharti Fernandes, who lives in Baner, wrote, “Please ardently beg you to save the Pune rivers”.

A student wrote a long letter asking Narendra Modi to spare a thought for the future generations who would suffer if trees were felled and rivers shrunk. A father, Nitin Vivrekar carried his five-year-old daughter on his shoulders and marched “to make her aware how important it is to save trees and the river”.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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