Greens plan six-day stir to save Pune hills

The Green Pune Movement (GPM), an NGO fighting against construction on hills since the past few years, has planned a six-day campaign from Monday.

This follows an announcement by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan that the state government would allow 4% construction in proposed biodiversity parks (BDP).

Convenor of GPM, Satish Khot, said in a statement that the NGO has taken strong objection to the state government’s recent announcement allowing 4% construction on hills despite thousands of Puneites having filed objections twice in the past.

He said, “In order to rejuvenate our campaign, we have planned a six-day-long programme between November 14 and November 19.”

Khot said that on the occasion of Children’s Day on November 14, activists will gather at Patrakar Bhavan at 4:30 pm. Noted environmentalist Mohan Dharia will launch the campaign with his talk.

This will be followed by an entertainment programme by children of various schools with ‘environment’ as the theme. The event will culminate with a rally from Alka Chowk to Sambhaji Park via Fergusson College Road at 4 pm on November 19.

Khot said that a signature campaign would be undertaken from November 15-18.

Groups will stand at various locations and brief citizens about the importance of biodiversity parks and the need to ‘Save Our Hills’.

Citizens will also be asked to sign the banners as a mark of supporting the GPM campaign.

Khot said that activists would conduct signature campaigns during the day at Vaishali, FC Road, Main Street, Parihar Chowk, Kamala Nehru Park, Gold Adlabs, NIBM and Laxmi Road.

Volunteers would be present at Taljai Hills, Vetal Tekdi, jogging parks and laughter clubs early in the morning.