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‘These are not just trees…’: Residents accuse PCMC of unscientific methods damaging biodiversity, changing river flow

Construction activity is underway on the left bank of the Mula river, near Pimple Nilakh, at the Ramnadi-Mula confluence for the River Rejuvenation Project (RFD).

The residents allege that by continuing the construction activity in the riparian zone, the PCMC is ignoring relevant directions. (File photo)

A group of residents has alleged that the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is felling trees and carrying out “unscientific dredging and dumping” on the left bank of the Mula river, near Pimple Nilakh, at the Ramnadi-Mula confluence in violation of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee’s (CEC) directions.

This is the stretch where construction activity is underway for the River Rejuvenation Project (originally called Riverfront Development Project or RFD). The residents allege the civic body’s activities are changing the flow of rivers.

In a letter addressed to Mula-Ramnadi River Rejuvenation Committee Chairman Chandrakant Phulkundwar, residents Shailaja Deshpande, Pushkar Kulkarni, Prachi Waklye, and Shubha Kulkarni have said that the tree felling and construction activities are damaging the ecologically sensitive riparian zone near Dada Ghat Smashan Bhoomi and causing an irredeemable loss of biodiversity.

“These are not just trees; these are forests with a lot of rich wildlife. In August and September, the construction work on the RFD halted due to the heavy rain. Now that the rain has stopped, they have started work in full swing,” Deshpande told The Indian Express.

The residents visited the site on October 26 and 27 and said they were shocked to see the felled trees.

‘Migratory birds disturbed’

The residents, who have been working on the rights of the river and other environmental resources of the city, have pointed out that the location, where “rampant dumping of debris” is taking place, was the home of Schedule I species, such as the Indian Flapshell turtle.

“The dumping has disturbed the roosting and nesting locations of migratory birds that travel all the way to Pune from the Himalayan regions, such as the Rudy Shelduck. The unscientific construction activity has damaged the key stone species of riparian zones, such as Syzygium salicifolium, a tree that sequesters carbon,” said Deshpande.

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The residents further allege that by continuing the construction activity in the riparian zone, the PCMC is ignoring relevant directions. In August, the CEC, appointed to monitor the implementation of the Supreme Court’s orders and address issues of non-compliance on conservation issues, sent a letter instructing the Maharashtra chief secretary to intervene urgently to protect the riparian forest of the Mula, Mutha, Mula-Mutha, Pavana, and Indrayani rivers and to “issue necessary direction to halt all proposed felling”.

There was to be no tree cutting or damage to the riparian zone until the Supreme Court issues an order on the matter, whose next hearing is scheduled for early November. The CEC said that an expert committee was to conduct a thorough, on-ground survey of the Mula-Mutha riparian zones and assess their ecological characteristics for inclusion in the “deemed forest” category.

“How can they start the work when the Supreme Court has yet to make a decision on the deemed forest area?” asked Deshpande.

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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