Future of biodiversity parks in Pune in the dark

The future of biodiversity parks (BDPs) is in limbo, thanks to petty politics by parties, bureaucrats and those who will benefit from its constructions on the hills.

The environmentalists insist that no construction be allowed on these hills.

However, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said he wants 4% construction on the hills. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) city chief, Vandana Chavan, joined the activists, but the party leadership favours 4% construction.

The Bharatiya Janata Party too wants 4% construction.
The state government, approved the Development Plan, but stated that decision on BDPs on 2,416 acres of land would be taken later.

Activist Aneeta Benninger revealed that 73 layouts had been approved on land reserved for BDPs. “Politicians supporting construction wanted to legalise this illegal move,” she maintained.
Veteran leader, Mohan Dharia appealed to political parties to mention their stand on BDPs in their manifestoes. But the issue is missing from the NCP’s manifesto.

Congress corporator, Aba Bagul, said disallowing construction would lead to encroachments and slums.

Activists wish to know how the politicians plan to restrict the construction to 4%, if it is allowed. Amenities like roads would eat up into more reserved land. The citizens want to know how sanctions were given to the layouts on land reserved for BDP.