The Times of India 03.11.2009
Citizens not cooperating with PMC's tree census teams
PUNE: The agency which has been allotted the work for conducting tree census in the city has been facing a difficult time since citizens refuse to co-operate when the staff visits private properties for the purpose.
The proposal to conduct tree census was passed by the civic standing committee in April 2008, and was expected to be completed in six months and was later given an extension.
However, the work has still not be completed since citizens refuse to co-operate and drive the members away when they approach property owners to take details about trees around their property.
The PMC is now advertising in newspapers appealing to citizens to co-operate since census is being conducted in Pune after a gap of 10 years and needs to be completed soon.
According to the Maharashtra (Urban Area) Tree Conservation Notification, 1975, the municipal bodies must conduct tree census every five years.
The last such census, conducted by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in 1997-98, had put the number of trees at 32,88,295.
All trees with a minimum diameter of 10 cm, located inside the city limits on private, public and semi-public land are being counted. The local name of the tree, its botanical name, prevailing conditions of the plant, age and height are noted on a survey sheet and photographs of the premises where the tree is located are taken. Trees are classified into categories such as exotic, indigenous, shady, etc and property details and the signature of person providing information is also taken.
Sandeep Jadhav of Lotus environments, the agency which has been appointed to conduct the survey said that the staff involved in counting the trees have been trained by botanical experts before starting work. He pointed out that the staff members face a lot of problems while conducting the survey on private properties, with owners refusing to allow photography of the premises, and at times, even refusing to sign the document and cooperate in any way.
PMC tree officer Balasaheb Jagzap said that the PMC is now sending out appeals requesting citizens to co-operate, as this will help the civic administration complete the census faster and formulate policies for future.
The census has been conducted in Aundh and Warje-Karvenagar wards until now and is on in other parts of the city.
