A green spot in Hadapsar has turned almost entirely barren in a matter of days.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the developer and three partners had bought two agricultural land plots (survey numbers 71 and 74/4) nearly five years ago and started chopping trees on the plot about a fortnight ago. The civic body has claimed it did not receive an application for change of use for the plots, admeasuring around 4.5 acres.
The issue came to light after irate residents contacted PMC officials and elected representatives, urging them to take strict action against the developer and others.
Tree inspector Dnyanoba Balwadkar from the Hadapsar ward office told TOI, “On Saturday, we came to know that a large number of trees, including some babul, peepal and lemon trees, were illegally chopped without seeking permission from the tree authority. An inspection of the plots revealed that around 245 trees were chopped by the developer and others by using the services of a contractor or private men.”
Balwadkar added that when officials from the department reached the spot, they saw some men cutting the trees and instructed them to stop the work. However, the men fled from there in a tempo.
Green cover lost in Handewadi, PMC launches investigation
Tree inspector Dnyanoba Balwadkar from the Hadapsar ward office stated, “When we went back to the spot on both Monday and Tuesday, we found that more trees had been cut. We will contact the talathi office here to identity the land owners who have either sold or handed over their premises to the developer and his partners. We will serve notices those responsible for the incident and file a criminal case against them in a magisterial court under the Tree Act.”
On visiting the spot, a TOI team found that a large number of trees had been chopped or uprooted. Heavy machinery was used to level the land. No signboards had been installed at the spot.
PMC corporator Nanda Lonkar said the illegal cutting of trees was a setback to the state government’s initiative of spending crores to improve the green cover in the city.
“A nullah has also been partly blocked due to the tree-cutting. I will raise the issue in the PMC’s general body meeting,” she said.
Hadapsar activist Faroque Shaikh said, “Property prices have increased after Handewadi was brought into the PMC’s limits. Farm lands have started diminishing. We received information that part of the property has been reserved for residential and commercial construction and to build a school. We want the civic body to take stringent measures to restore the green cover at Handewadi.”
Source : TOI