80-member group on mission to save trees takes green moves to new high

Pune, January 23: In the past three months, the Pune Tree Watch members have saved 350 trees in the city. And now its members have zeroed in on the 37 trees near the India Meteorology Department on Ganeshkhind Road that may be felled for road widening.

The group had halted tree cutting on a private plot in Ghorpadi and felling of 80-odd trees on Karve Road. The campaign was spearheaded by its member Ravindra Latey and platforms were made around the trees to save them.

Now, the group has dashed off a letter to garden superintendent Yashwant Khaire saying that the docket released by the Pune Municipal Corporation in November states that of the 37 trees, 12 are to be felled and 24 to be transplanted. The trees are in front of the All India Radio, Pune and in front of the IMD.

After a site inspection, founder Tasneem Balasinorwala found that the road was already wide and only three trees needed hacking. ‘‘A large number of trees can be saved by making a platform around them.’’ The group has recommended saving of the mango, wild fig (umbar), the Peltaforum and Nilgiri trees.

The Pune Tree Watch launched its mission six months ago and brought 80 citizens on a common platform through its Yahoo discussion groups. Says member Shantha Bhushan, ‘‘Many citizens are distressed when they see trees being felled in their neighbourhood but don’t know what to do. They can now approach us and we will help them lodge complaints. It will empower people and indiscriminate tree-felling will reduce.’’

Balasinorwala says contractors assigned the job often chop more than necessary. ‘‘We have been meeting Khaire and members of the Tree Authority about this,’’ she says. They have convinced them about marking the tree to be cut, so that citizens know about it.

The members have asked the PMC to post their tree-felling proposals on the official website and for more time to post objections.

For tree-felling
Apply in writing to the Tree Authority for permission, with description of tree and site plan
Tree Authority will ask a tree officer to inspect it, hold an inquiry and submit a report
Advertise in local newspapers
Affix a notice on a conspicuous part of the tree to be felled
Thereafter, the Tree Authority may give permission or refuse it
No tree shall be felled until 15 days after permission is given