VIDEO: Over 100 Trees Cut In Pune's Kharadi; Residents, Activists Allege PMC-Builder Nexus

Over 100 trees have been allegedly chopped down in just a few days at the Gera office premises in Pune's Kharadi. The entire incident prompted a wave of anger and concern among local residents and environmental activists. Accusations of negligence, political pressure and collusion with powerful builders have been levelled against civic authorities, and citizens are demanding immediate action and accountability.

'There should be an inquiry'

President of Kharadi Resident Welfare (KRW), Prabha Karpe, said, "On July 15, we received the first video of tree cutting in the Gera office premises. When we started to inquire about it, the cutting stopped for a while. But again, three days ago, in a span of three days, around 100 trees were chopped. We put up a complaint with PMC, and a token was also generated, but our issues were not resolved. We reached out to the ward officer, the garden department, and PMC’s Sandeep Chavhan, but instead of helping us resolve the issue, he said he was not aware of the area where the tree-cutting incidents were happening. We were ready to take him to the spot, but he just denied it. We think he has a lot to do with this, as he has been posted in the Kharadi area for the past four years and seems only interested in getting trees chopped. Even if there's a pruning order, he will let them cut the majority of the trees. The authorities are backed by builders and people in power. There should be an inquiry against Chavhan. Because of him, Kharadi is losing all its green cover due to reckless cutting of trees. Strict action should be taken against the authorities and the builders who are destroying the green cover. The cutting is happening on Survey No. 64."

'Kharadi is losing its remaining oxygen zones'

Akshay Poorey, a resident of Kharadi, said, "We were shocked to learn that over a hundred trees were cut overnight at the Gera office premises in Kharadi – an act carried out stealthily under the cover of darkness. As residents and members of the KRW team, we have always advocated for green spaces in our fast-concreting locality. We immediately informed PMC officials, but their inaction suggests political pressure is at play. It's heartbreaking to see how money and influence continue to win over humanity and the environment. Kharadi is losing its remaining oxygen zones, and this silence is complicit."

"I have been a resident of Kharadi for 13 years. Watching around 100 trees fall in just 2–3 days in Kharadi was heartbreaking. As residents, we owe it to future generations to speak up before concrete replaces every trace of green. It was not informed to residents — the things were happening silently. On Tuesday, we filed a complaint. Security guards were not allowing anyone to go inside. We took help from Prabha Karpe to raise the issue. Sadly, nothing has worked so far," said another resident, Himani Budholia.

"The land behind the Gera site office (opposite to Gera Imperium Alpha Shopping Complex) on Grant Road, reportedly designated for a public garden at some point, has allegedly seen extensive tree cutting and land-use deviation. In a locality like Kharadi, which houses thousands of working professionals, families and children, the absence of a green retreat is deeply felt. Urban growth should not come at the cost of ecological balance. Kharadi deserves development, yes — but it also deserves breathing room," said Ujjwal, a resident of Gera Trinity Towers.

'To check documents and issue a notice, it all takes time'

Meanwhile, Sandeep Chavhan, Horticulture Supervisor, PMC Nagar Road Ward Office, told The Free Press Journal, "We received the complaint, but to issue a notice we have certain procedures to follow — like we have to check who’s the owner, because most of the time they hire contractors to cut the trees, so we can’t hold contractors responsible. They got paid to cut the trees. So, to check documents and issue a notice, it all takes time. Today, by evening, we will be sending a notice to the landowner and Gera both. And we will check if they have taken permission from the PMC, and if there are any discrepancies, we will take strict action."

JCB operator clarified that he was only clearing shrubs

“We have seen the videos circulating. There is no evidence of any trees being cut. The JCB operator clarified that he was only clearing shrubs, as trees cannot be removed with a JCB. In any event, the matter is with the authorities, who will adjudicate on the matter. In a democratic country like ours, anyone can complain about anything. It is the role of the authorities to do the assessment and see whether there was any wrongdoing or not," Gera Developments Pvt. Ltd said in a statement.