On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) organized a large-scale tree plantation program under its ambitious River Rejuvenation Project aimed at rejuvenating the Mula, Mutha, and Mula-Mutha rivers flowing through the city.
The integrated development area covers a 44 km stretch of these rivers. As part of the ongoing project, active work is being undertaken on a 9 km segment, which includes a 3.7 km stretch from Sangamwadi to Bundgarden Bridge (Stretch-9), and a 5.3 km stretch from Bundgarden Bridge to Mundhwa Bridge (Stretch-10 and 11).
The work of Stretch-9 has been completed, which includes an area of about 300 meters between Shadalbaba Dargah and Ganesh Ghat. Simultaneously, 800 meters of riverfront work at Koregaon Park under Stretch-10 and 11 is also nearing completion, informed the officials.
As part of the ecological restoration, non-native species such as Subabhul, Kubhabul, Acacia, and exotic Chinchilla trees are being systematically removed. These are being replaced with native and ecologically beneficial species such as Karanj, Kadamba, Muchkund, Raktarohida, Kailaspati, Kalakuda, Panjambhu, Mango, Jamun, Gular, Bhokar, Khirani, Arjun, and Chiranji, which are good for birdlife.
Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Estate) Prithviraj BP led the plantation of 1,250 saplings, each between 10 to 15 feet in height. The saplings were also distributed across three key areas, of which 850 saplings were planted in the Forest Department premises, 150 in the Yerawada Jail campus, and 250 within the riverfront between Sangamwadi and Kalyaninagar bridges.
The civic body has already planted 5,000 indigenous saplings, including 4,000 within the Defence Department’s premises and 500 in the Army Sports Department grounds. The initiative reinforces Pune’s commitment to sustainable urban development, ecological restoration, and climate resilience through community-driven green infrastructure projects.
