Supreme Court-appointed panel orders halt to tree felling and riverside construction in Pune citing violations
Panel of the Supreme Court halts tree felling and construction along Pune’s rivers, citing non-compliance with forest directives and ecological risks.
Pune,October 29, 2025 – A Supreme Court-appointed committee has ordered an immediate halt to all tree felling and construction activity along Pune’s rivers — including the Mula, Mutha, Mula-Mutha, Pavana, and Indrayani — after receiving multiple complaints about large-scale environmental violations. The directive comes as a major blow to ongoing riverfront and urban development projects that have been criticised for damaging ecologically sensitive riparian zones.
According to the committee, the state government and civic bodies have failed to comply with previous forest protection directives issued by the apex court earlier this year. The order emphasizes that no further tree removal, excavation, or construction can proceed until all affected riverbanks are properly surveyed and categorized under “deemed forest” status wherever applicable.
Environmental organisations in Pune had raised alarms over widespread tree felling and encroachments in green zones along the Mula-Mutha corridor. Their petitions pointed out that ongoing riverfront development work was leading to the destruction of natural vegetation, disturbing wildlife habitats, and reducing flood-buffering capacity. The committee took note of these violations and has sought detailed reports from the state’s Chief Secretary, directing civic authorities to immediately suspend all related work.
The committee’s communication to the state underscores that the violation of environmental safeguards around water bodies will be treated as a breach of Supreme Court orders. It also recommended forming a multidisciplinary task force to identify riparian areas that qualify as ecologically sensitive forests and to create a long-term restoration plan.
Over the past decade, Pune’s rivers have faced intense development pressure. The riverfront projects initiated by the municipal corporations aimed to beautify and redevelop the riverbanks through concrete embankments, parks, and pathways. However, environmental experts argue that these interventions have come at the cost of biodiversity and groundwater recharge, with tree removal and channelization altering the natural hydrology of the rivers.
Environmental activist groups have welcomed the latest order, calling it a “much-needed intervention.” They emphasised that the riverbanks serve as crucial ecological corridors supporting both urban biodiversity and natural flood regulation. Many experts pointed out that the Mula-Mutha stretch, once home to thick tree cover and rich flora, has witnessed a consistent decline in green density due to indiscriminate cutting for urban projects.
The committee has also urged the state to involve local communities and non-governmental organisations in monitoring compliance and reporting any ongoing violations. It directed that all future work proposals in these areas must undergo rigorous environmental scrutiny and should include compensatory afforestation plans.
This order marks a significant turning point in Pune’s environmental governance, reinforcing that unchecked urban development cannot come at the expense of ecological balance. The halt provides a much-needed pause for authorities to reassess their approach toward urban river restoration, ensuring it aligns with environmental sustainability rather than merely aesthetic improvement.
If effectively implemented, the directive could reshape how future city-planning projects near rivers and forests are approved across Maharashtra. It sends a strong signal that the country’s top j
Follow us On Our Social media Handles :
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter
Also Read- Pune
