Green activists stage `Chipko' agitation to protest tree cutting for river front development in Pune
Pune (PTI): Hundreds of activists have staged the 'Chalo Chipko' (let's hug trees) agitation in the Mutha riverbed in Maharashtra's Pune city to protest the felling of trees for the ambitious Pune River Front Development project.
During the agitation held on Saturday, the protesters carried placards, shouted slogans to save the river, trees and the city and hugged the trees along the riverbank while forming a human chain.
The project envisages development of a 44-kilometre stretch of the river bank comprising 22.2 km of the Mula river, 10.4 km of the Mutha river and 11.8 km of the Mula-Mutha river.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the project in March 2022.
The activists accused the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) of destroying natural greenery along the riverbank near Bund Garden in the name of its River Rejuvenation Project.
A few thousand trees including some rare and old trees are being cut down for a one-km stretch of the riverfront, they alleged.
The PMC, however, refuted the claims and said there are no old and rare trees among the trees that would be affected.
"During the work of river rejuvenation, it is necessary to cut some trees, and in their place, more than 65,000 trees will be planted," it said in a press release.
Activist Sarang Yadwadkar claimed flood levels of the Mula and Mutha rivers would rise by five feet due to the project as the width of the water course is being reduced.
"Environmental clearance was given on the condition that not a single tree will be cut, but without any permission, the PMC has already started felling trees inside the river bed," he alleged.
Mangesh Dighe, environmental officer at the PMC, said the objective of the project is to protect the river bank on both the sides from flood and trees will be planted to create a green belt in the heart of the city.
"The main aim is to make the area pollution free as the sewage water will be diverted into the sewage treatment plant," he said.
"About 10,000 trees are affected but more than 3,000 trees will be preserved. More than 4,000 trees will be transplanted and only 3,000 trees will have to be removed. The trees which we are going to plant are complementary to the ecosystem of river," he said.
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Bengal: Hours after killing of Suvendu's aide, cops say 5 BJP workers injured in bomb attack
Kolkata (PTI): Five BJP supporters have been injured allegedly in a bomb blast in Panihati in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Thursday.
The incident occurred late on Wednesday night, hours after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants, which led to the saffron camp accusing the TMC of unleashing retaliatory violence.
The bomb blast occurred near St Xavier's Institution in Panihati. Unidentified assailants hurled crude bombs at a group of BJP workers, injuring at least five people, police said, adding the injured were admitted to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
According to local sources, BJP workers were interacting with residents on Dutta Road in Panihati's Ward number 2 when a group of motorcycle-borne persons allegedly targeted them with bombs before fleeing.
The BJP alleged that the attackers were backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress, an allegation denied by the Mamata Banerjee-led party.
A senior police official said, "We have started an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify those involved. Raids are being conducted to nab the accused."
A heavy police deployment has been made in the area.
"We are maintaining strict vigil and appealing to people not to spread rumours. Necessary steps are being taken to maintain peace," the officer added.
Incidentally, the area where the blast occurred is located near the residence of newly elected BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar Hospital rape victim.
