Victory for Punekars, no construction on Bio Diversity Park lands

On Wednesday, August 5, the state government passed the much awaited decision on the Bio Diversity Park (BDP) area reservation in Pune. According to the GR released, 978.54 acres of land in the 23 fringe area villages have been reserved for the BDP allowing no new constructions on hill tops or slopes henceforth.

As per the GR, no new constructions are allowed in the reserved area and illegal encroachments or structures built after March 2005 are ordered to be taken down by the state government. The Pune Municipal Corporation can now give construction permission only for projects including horticulture, agriculture, parks, biodiversity research centres and museums.

10 years of struggle

In 1998, around 23 fringe villages were included in the Pune Municipal Corporation limits to save the green cover around the city. "In 2005, the lands around these villages were proposed to be reserved as a Bio Diversity Park. It was the time when the cutting of hills had just started and encroachments began reducing the green cover," says Satish Khot, president of the National Society for Clean Cities.

For the past 10 years, the government did not take any firm decision on the proposal and it was put on hold. While many constructions around these villages had already begun, the current Bhartiya Janata Party led government fast forwarded the study on the BDP lands reservation, and a decision was finally announced on August 5. "For 10 years, citizens from all sectors have fought for the reservation of BDP lands. The decision by this government is welcome and appreciated," said Khot.

Need of Bio Diversity Park​ lands

Pune, once a 'no fan station' is presently experiencing climate change effects, rising temperatures and invariable rainfall. "Increase in population and pollution has led to a need of a carbon sink. The Bio Diversity Park will not be a park where people would come for a walk, but would be a major carbon sink for Pune. We need to reduce the carbon emissions impacting the climate of the city." explained Khot. 

While this is not the final solution to make Pune environmentally sound and reduce pollution, Bio Diversity Parks will be a good start to this - says Sujit Patwardhan, president of Parisar. "The BDP on hill tops will also help us to retain the natural ecosystem around the city. While we have parks at vetal takdi and taljai, they are planned parks where trees are planted. In BDP lands, we do not interfere in the growth of the diversity. This will result in natural growth of species and biodiversity," he added. 

Green Pune Movement

The preservation of the hills and Pune getting the largest land area under the Bio Diversity Park is a victory for the citizens after the 'Green Pune Movement' was started by citizens to pressurise the government to take action on the haphazard constructions on hills.

"There were protests, rallies, awareness programs, signature campaigns and human chains around hills to preserve the essence of Pune city - the hills. I was a coordinator for the youth mobilisation and we saw a huge participation from students, industrialists, NGOs, environmental activists and common citizens," says Ameya Jagtap, city-based activist and a part of the Green Pune movement. 

"We managed to get 88000 signatures through the movement and it is a unique victory for all the citizens who were a part of it," said Khot adding, "Now we hope the PMC takes quick action in removing illegal structures and encroachments." Khot also stressed on planning of the Bio Diversity Park and including experts and citizens. The persistent approach of Punekars for 10 years has set an example, sending a message that citizens can also make an impact if they come together.  

However, the decision may prove tough to abide by for the PMC. "We have started working on the illegal structures in the area. Though very few permissions had been given, even for local corporators, the work will take time," said an official.