Urban News

The political parties might have reached a consensus to allow limited development of the city’s hilltops and slopes and not reserve these areas entirely for bio diversity parks (BDPs), but The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) has, in its environment status report (ESR), reiterated the need to protect them.

“There is no doubt that hilltops and slopes of the city need to be protected. The green belt should be strictly maintained as per boundaries laid down in the proposed development plan,” Anjali Parasnis, co-ordinator, TERI, told Newsline.

Earlier this month, political parties, barring the Congress, had reached a consensus on allowing four per cent development in 2,500 acres, enabling 40 lakh sq ft land for development activities, and as a direct fallout generate additional business of around Rs 2,000 crore for the realty sector.

The ESR, tabled in the general body of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Wednesday, listed protection of hills high among the major concerns for the city. “Over 40 per cent of the city population reside in slums and this is likely to touch 50 per cent soon, considering the growth of slums...” The report said it was high time the problems of encroachment on roads were taken up seriously.

Satish Khot of the National Society of Clean Cities (NSCC) said, “I am glad an expert organisation like TERI has expressed concern over development of hilltops and slopes. The political parties should think of the future generation .” 

He said the civic body should provide houses for the economically weaker sections while discouraging them from encroaching on the green belt.

Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, however, defended the decision to allow four per cent development on hilltops and slopes. “The proposal was also intended to protect them. If the land owner is allowed to carry out small constructions, then he can protect the remaining land.”

Rajpal said it was also necessary to think of poor farmers who own land on hilltops and slopes. NCP city unit chief Vandana Chavan said she was glad that the TERI had come out in support of conserving the hills. “I was unable to understand why some couldn’t agree that hills needed protection. We can now put forward the view of the professional organisation while fighting for the cause.”

Renowned urban development planner Christopher Benninger said, “The political parties should take the TERI opinion seriously. It is also the duty of the civic body to increase green cover on the hills.” The environment status report also expressed concern over the polluted Mutha river.