Pune’s rivers are in danger! Thousands of the city’s age-old trees are at risk. If we don’t act now, its lifeline will be lost forever.
Updates
February 9, 2025
Chipko march organised from Baner to Ram-Mula confluence. Over 5,000 people came together to oppose the RFD Project. The Chipko march was attended by prominent personalities like environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, Actor Sayaji Shinde and MP Vandana Chavan.
Campaign partners: Pune River Revival
Decision Maker
Pune Municipal Corporation- Environment department
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Maharashtra
Water Resource Department
Demands:
- Alter the 4700 crore Riverfront Development Project. Implement a sustainable riverfront restoration and rejuvenation project
- Immediately halt tree-cutting and conduct a transparent assessment of the environmental impact of the project
- Stop dumping debris into the river
- Hold a meaningful public consultation before moving forward with any further construction
Introduction:
The Mula-Mutha rivers in Pune serve as the city’s lifeline and are under imminent threat. An INR 4,700 crore Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development (RFD) Project is underway, which in its current form could wipe out tens of thousands of trees from the banks of the river. On top of that, truckloads of debris are being dumped into the river, which will shrink the riverbed–all this just for the sake of beautification and other commercial purposes.
Despite repeated appeals from Punekars and experts on the adverse ecological implications of the project, the Pune Municipal Corporation is going ahead with the 44-km long ill-planned initiative on both sides, which also involves road building and construction of promenades.
If the Riverfront Development Project is implemented in its present form, which involves chopping over thousands of old-growth trees, the natural course of the river will be altered, reduced, and constricted, enhancing the risk of flooding. It will also threaten the lives and livelihoods of those residing upstream and downstream, as evidenced by the recent floods in July 2024.
Pune’s flood risk has increased, with water levels rising much higher than before, as per a MERI report. To prevent flooding, all encroachment along the rivers must be removed and prevented! With this project, the ‘sponge effect’ of the flood plains will be lost.
Tree cutting will further deteriorate Pune’s air quality and heighten the risk of illnesses among its vulnerable population. Trees often act as purifiers, not just of the air but also of the water. They enable groundwater recharge and prevent soil erosion. Removing these trees will enhance the risk of contamination of the river, further increasing the risk of illnesses like Guillain barre syndrome (GBS).
For the last few years, Pune has been in the wake of a climate crisis– extreme weather events like heat waves and floods have become more common. Instead of truly rejuvenating the river, this project is concretizing the banks and altering its natural course, turning a thriving ecosystem into a commercial zone.
Experts warn that these interventions will worsen flooding, destroy biodiversity, and permanently damage the river’s ability to sustain life.
We don’t need a riverfront construction project, but a river rejuvenation and revival plan that works for people and nature. Sign this petition today!
Sources:
Pune’s rivers are in danger! Thousands of the city’s age-old trees are at risk. If we don’t act now, its lifeline will be lost forever.
Updates
February 9, 2025
Chipko march organised from Baner to Ram-Mula confluence. Over 5,000 people came together to oppose the RFD Project. The Chipko march was attended by prominent personalities like environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, Actor Sayaji Shinde and MP Vandana Chavan.
Campaign partners: Pune River Revival
Decision Maker
Pune Municipal Corporation- Environment department
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Maharashtra
Water Resource Department
Demands:
- Alter the 4700 crore Riverfront Development Project. Implement a sustainable riverfront restoration and rejuvenation project
- Immediately halt tree-cutting and conduct a transparent assessment of the environmental impact of the project
- Stop dumping debris into the river
- Hold a meaningful public consultation before moving forward with any further construction
Introduction:
The Mula-Mutha rivers in Pune serve as the city’s lifeline and are under imminent threat. An INR 4,700 crore Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development (RFD) Project is underway, which in its current form could wipe out tens of thousands of trees from the banks of the river. On top of that, truckloads of debris are being dumped into the river, which will shrink the riverbed–all this just for the sake of beautification and other commercial purposes.
Despite repeated appeals from Punekars and experts on the adverse ecological implications of the project, the Pune Municipal Corporation is going ahead with the 44-km long ill-planned initiative on both sides, which also involves road building and construction of promenades.
If the Riverfront Development Project is implemented in its present form, which involves chopping over thousands of old-growth trees, the natural course of the river will be altered, reduced, and constricted, enhancing the risk of flooding. It will also threaten the lives and livelihoods of those residing upstream and downstream, as evidenced by the recent floods in July 2024.
Pune’s flood risk has increased, with water levels rising much higher than before, as per a MERI report. To prevent flooding, all encroachment along the rivers must be removed and prevented! With this project, the ‘sponge effect’ of the flood plains will be lost.
Tree cutting will further deteriorate Pune’s air quality and heighten the risk of illnesses among its vulnerable population. Trees often act as purifiers, not just of the air but also of the water. They enable groundwater recharge and prevent soil erosion. Removing these trees will enhance the risk of contamination of the river, further increasing the risk of illnesses like Guillain barre syndrome (GBS).
For the last few years, Pune has been in the wake of a climate crisis– extreme weather events like heat waves and floods have become more common. Instead of truly rejuvenating the river, this project is concretizing the banks and altering its natural course, turning a thriving ecosystem into a commercial zone.
Experts warn that these interventions will worsen flooding, destroy biodiversity, and permanently damage the river’s ability to sustain life.
We don’t need a riverfront construction project, but a river rejuvenation and revival plan that works for people and nature. Sign this petition today!
Sources: