Slipping Through the Cracks: Pune’s Hill Safety on a Steep Decline

The Pune Forest Department has come under mounting pressure after reportedly failing to take crucial hill safety measures required by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). With repeated directives to prevent unauthorized constructions, inspect encroachments, and regain native cover on Pune's ecologically sensitive hills, activists cry foul that nothing significant is done about it.

 

The delay has invited public anger, especially with the monsoon approaching and landslide risks increasing. Environmentalists have issued warnings that indiscriminate construction and lack of soil conservation could trigger such catastrophes as in previous years. The Forest Department maintains procedural lapses and a lack of coordination with civic agencies have plagued the action, but the NGT has called for a status report and issued a threat of penalty in case of non-compliance.

 

Citizens and activists are demanding immediate, open action to save Pune's lungs of greenery before it is too late.

 

Source: Pune Mirror, Indian Express, Hindustan Times