Riverfront devp project: PCMC has no role in illegal tree felling

UMESH DHAKNE, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, GARDEN DEPARTMENT, PCMC, WHO IS THE TREE AUTHORITY OF THE CIVIC BODY, CONFIRMED THAT SEVERAL TREES WERE CUT ILLEGALLY BY THE RFD CONTRACTOR

- Vicky Pathare

PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) issued an official statement on Friday clarifying that the civic body has no role in the illegal tree felling incidents that occurred in Baner and Pimple Nilakh.

The civic body stated that PCMC is implementing the riverfront development project jointly with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Under the initiative, work is being carried out on the Mula River from Wakad Bypass to Navi Sangvi within the municipal limits.

However, recent media reports have highlighted incidents of trees felling due to floods, storms, or private landowners along the riverbanks.

The garden department is verifying these reports, and the environmental department of PCMC has clarified that these incidents are not related to the Mula River rejuvenation project, stated the release.