Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan announced that the state govt would allow 4% construction in the proposed bio-diversity park in the 23 villages merged in the Pune Municipal Corporation. But green activists and many Punekars are opposing any construction on the hills, as it would affect the environment. DNA explores
I am a selfish person who wants to live in a clean environment
How can the government allow 4% construction in the proposed bio-diversity park (BDP) in the 23 villages merged in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)? It will be a long process of inviting public objections and conducting hearings, before they could really allow this construction. We are preparing to oppose any kind of construction in these BDP areas.
As per town planning, 33% land area has to be under forest cover. We should, in fact, preserve the green cover of the city rather than allowing any construction. Those who are insisting on a green DP (development plan) should be asked whether the move will help in absorbing carbon dioxide from the air?
In reality, green construction means only least energy consumption; it does not mean that it can reduce pollution, which only natural resources can do. I am a very selfish person who wants to live a healthy life in a clean environment.
Aneeta Gokhale Benninger, executive director, CDSA
If we allow construction in BDP, it would affect the environment
The decision to allow 4% construction in the proposed BDP is a wrong decision, which I strongly oppose along with other Punekars. This is just the beginning; the politicians will increase the construction area to 8% or 15%. It is very important to know that open spaces significantly help in reducing the city’s air pollution. It is not necessary that the BDP areas must be covered with green; these open expanses of land in and around the city act as dilutor of pollution.
If we allow construction in these areas, it would affect the environment. This green DP, that politicians are suggesting, has nothing to do with saving the city from pollution, but only means reduced energy consumption.
Erach Bharucha, director, BVU Institute of Environmental Education and Research
The hilltops, open spaces are the lungs of the city and we have to save them
Personally, I feel that no construction should be allowed in the BDP area. Unfortunately, NCP leaders have been demanding for the 4% construction and are opposing the green activists. For every population of 1,000, there are norms on how much open space or green cover must be there. The city’s population has already crossed the 50-lakh mark and will continue to increase, but open spaces and green cover will not. The hilltops and open spaces are the lungs of the city and we have to save them for the future generation. When the DP was sent to the state government in 2005, we had mentioned about saving Pune’s hills.
Vandana Chavan, NCP city president
The government itself cannot differentiate between a hilltop and hill slope
By allowing 4% construction in BDP area, the government is not being of any help. There are over 500 small plot owners and registered housing societies that fall in the BDP area. Where will all these families go and how will they be compensated? It is to be noted that the hills in Mumbai are turning into a concrete jungle. All those who are opposing construction in Pune BDP area must first implement it in Mumbai.
The government itself cannot differentiate between a hilltop and hill slope. All the city hill slopes are occupied by slums, why nobody is clearing these illegal occupants? I am fighting for the small plot owners, whose lands fall under the BDP category. They are neither on hill slopes or hilltops, then why are they put under the BDP? Banks have sanctioned loans to these small plot owners, on the plans approved by PMC, then how can the government snatch away the same land from the owners?
Sudhir Kaka Kulkarni, president, Nagri Hakk Samiti
There is a constant pressure on forest and open land
In a fast growing city like Pune, there is a lot of pressure on land like open spaces, hills or green areas. The political leaders must be visionary and think about the long-term impact of their current decisions. If we allow 4% construction in these BDP areas, what will be the impact of it say after 20 years? Many are opposing the construction in BDP area due to valid reasons. There is a constant pressure on forest and open land. We must make efforts to save them.
Sanjay Athavale, chairman, Green Hills Group
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