Over 5,000 citizens from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad participated in the Chipko Padyatra organized by Pune River Revival, demonstrating unprecedented public support for protecting riverside ecosystems. The peaceful march, which stretched from Kalmadi High School to the Ram-Mula confluence, saw participation from residents, citizens from various communities, river experts, senior citizens, a good number of school and college students, and special groups like the Parkinson's support group of Pune.
The prominent citizens present were Adv. Vandana Chavan, Actor Omkar Gowardhan, and RJ Sangram Khopde. The renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and celebrated actor Sayaji Shinde highlighted the critical importance of preserving riverside green spaces and old-growth trees along Pune's rivers.
Sonam Wangchuk pointed out that nothing is as precious as air and water. "Punekar’s fight for a clean natural environment will show the direction for the entire country. He wished the movement success."
Sayaji Shinde drew attention to the big gathering of school children and said, “We must keep working for the revival of the river for the sake of these children.”
‘Nadi ki Baat’
The Padyatra featured several powerful moments, including hundreds of citizens embracing ancient trees along the riverbank, symbolizing their commitment to protect these natural assets.
Participants also wrote a few thousand letters on ‘Nadi ki Baat’ to the Prime Minister, urging immediate action to protect urban river ecosystems, and songs for the river were sung by school children. Mr. Sayaji Shinde sang his own poem on the river. Speeches were delivered by various stakeholders, including school children, senior citizens, a local youth, and a fisherman, expressing concern about damage to the river and trees due to the riverfront development project.
Punekars speak up
"The overwhelming response to today's Padyatra shows that Punekars are deeply concerned about the future of our rivers and ready to take action," said Sanjeev Naik, a volunteer with Pune River Revival.
"We saw senior citizens and students leading environmental awareness chants, and residents from various vastis sharing their stories about the river's importance in their lives," added Kalyan Mane.
Arati Mhaskar, a Baner resident and event organizer, noted, "The energy of our young participants was infectious. They not only participated in the Chipko enthusiastically but also helped in tree mapping over the last few months. This shows that the next generation is ready to take up the mantle of environmental protection."
The Padyatra also marked the beginning of a larger movement, with both PMC and PCMC regions now working together for river conservation. The initiative has united over 85 organizations across both municipal corporations, focusing on the revival of the Mutha, Mula, Pawana, and Indrayani rivers.
"Today's march is just the beginning," said Shailaja Deshpande, Jeevitnadi Founder. "We will continue to advocate for sustainable riverfront development that preserves our natural heritage while meeting urban needs."
Many of the citizens expressed the sentiment that our rivers are our responsibility. Pune River Revival is going to present their demands to the commissioners of PMC and PCMC, who are the custodians of our rivers.
"Over 5,000 Punekars from all walks of life came together to protect our rivers and trees. From school children to senior citizens, from vastiwale to IT professionals, they hugged ancient trees, sang songs of environmental protection, and showed that Pune's spirit of environmental consciousness is very much alive. It is a clear message to the authorities that development cannot come at the cost of our rivers and trees. Our riverfront development plan has to be modified to make it eco-friendly and citizens should be involved in the design," said Prajakta Mahajan, a volunteer with Pune River Revival.
Plans to include the following critical measures: ● Stop sewage from entering rivers. ● Stop constricting rivers, no dumping in them. ● Protect and conserve trees, Devrais, and wetlands. ● Safeguard and sustain the existing groundwater sources. ● Revise the RFD to make it eco-friendly, using site-specific, nature-based technologies. ● Actively consult and involve citizens while maintaining transparency in decision-making.
Pune River Revival is a collaborative initiative involving over 60 organizations, experts, grassroots groups, and NGOs working in the environmental and social sectors, united for the cause of river restoration.
The riverfront development project in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad is being opposed by the Jeevitnadi-Living River Foundation and other NGOs, who say the proposal calls for the removal of trees and the disposal of waste in the riverbed.
Recently BJP MP Media Kulkarni had visited the project spot and raised doubts about the ongoing riverfront project.
The Mula-Mutha riverbank in Pune, spanning 44 km, is set to be beautified similarly to the Sabarmati River in Gujarat. Approved in 2018, the project costs ₹4,727 crore and will be completed in 11 phases. Three phases are currently in progress on a pilot basis. Phase one, costing ₹700 crore, is funded by the PMC, while the remaining expenses will be covered through a public-private partnership (PPP).
This is the second such huge march for the environmental cause in Pune. Earlier, Punekars had flocked to the streets to save Vetal Tekdi.
