In preparation of the Pune Tree Fest 2012 ..here comes the first of the stories
Trees of Kalyaninagar, Pune – here is one local documentation that you would be interested in seeing
Other News and Information
- Welcoming Surat Tree Watch on this green journey. We wish them all success. For more information, see http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_210509715637479
- On Completing 5 years!!! Founder’s note and feedback from members
- IT’s TREE TIME: Our new brochure on trees and tree plantation in the city
- WildUrb : Our brochure on Gardening for Wildlife
- Tree Lovers and Potential Planters please note that for plantation assistance you can contact our members listed in the List of Contacts information page
About Us
Pune Tree Watch attempts to bring people together who are concerned about the dwindling tree cover. We aim to monitor, act and protect the trees that harbour a variety of life and that provide the citizens with various ecological benefits.
Since our inception in July’05 we have saved thousands of trees from felling and have been a strong support group for the concerned Pune citizenry. Our activities include: Preventing illegal tree felling, Surveying trees to be cut, Working on the policy level like the Maharashtra (Urban areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, Plantations, Media interaction, Creating Public Awareness and regular Interaction with concerned authorities. We have an email group dedicated to Pune trees – punetreewatch@yahoogroups.com.
The following are the various activities that makes Pune Tree Watch an effective Support and Action group
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- Forum used to voice their concerns, understand the issues, seek suggestions and or associations with other members. Whenever an alert is given to us, we immediately get the person in touch with the concerned authorities and the respective area-wise representatives of Pune Tree Watch, who can visit the site and assist the person. Simultaneously we as Pune Tree Watch get in touch with the concerned authorities to expedite action.
- Following the monthly activities of the authority, related to giving permissions for tree felling in the city.
- Networking with initiatives in other cities.
- Working to understand the system and the functioning of the government bodies responsible for maintaining the green environs of the city. These are the Garden Department, Pune Tree Authority and also the Forest Department.
- Establishing contact and initiating interaction with the other relevant departments like the Road department, City Engineer or Building department etc.
- Being an active part of the system, which is provided by the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation ofTrees Act, 1975 that enables for the public to participate.
- Outreach and Awareness whereby small yet important incidents of action find a mention in the group, and through the web page.
- Partnership between Citizens, organizations and concerned authorities towards biodiversity conservation.
Key milestones of the group!!
a) Submitted a set of recommended amendments to the Maharashtra (Urban Area) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975 to the Maharashtra State Government, Urban Development Department, to make necessary amendments in the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975. The follow-up process is still on.
b) Conducted various capacity building programmes with resident forums, mohalla committees, schools, and other groups.
c) Formulated a new policy, nicknamed “Tree Policy”, to enable a space for trees within construction activities.
d) Made mandatory the laying of tree lines for all new road constructions incl. road widening.
e) Campaigned successfully to ensure three environmentalists and experts are on the Pune Tree Authority.
f) Have been instrumental in incorporating dedicated tree lines in road planning and design to the maximum extent possible. We are being constantly consulted and are co-ordinating meetings with the road departments of JNNURM and PMC.
g) Also helped develop a website exclusively for the Garden Department.
h) Coordinating the expertise of the architects, town planners, environmentalist and other ecologists; to create a practical and scientific approach while analyzing and providing solutions.
i) Produced a citizens guide called “The Green Vein” to understand the city environment.
j) Produced various forms of material to improve citizen understanding and participation. Also given presentations to various groups about the work and the ways and means that citizens can participate.
I’m glad there is an initiative in Pune to tackle this problem. It’s true that every time I visit India, particularly Pune, I can see a significant decline in the tree cover.
Good on you Pune Tree Watch for taking the initiative to preserve the ‘hariyali’!
Thanks Anand.. do be in touch and we will keep u posted on all the activities
hey, PuneTreeWatch we are thankful that some one has taken an initiative to protect our trees.
You guys have save to our country to become a konkrit one.
please also support acts like the following :
You have less than 24 hours! Call Mr. Jairam Ramesh on 011-24361727 or 011-24363958 right now! (If you’re calling from outside India, dial +91-11-24361727 or +91-11-24363958).
1. Give your name and the city you are calling from. Ask to be connected to Mr. Jairam Ramesh. If the operator asks what this is regarding, say it concerns his ministry’s position on allowing genetically-contaminated food into the market.
If they connect you to Mr. Ramesh, go to Pt No.2. If they say that they cannot connect you but that you may leave a message, go to Pt No.3.
2. State again that you are (NAME), calling from (PLACE).
3. Say that you have heard that his Ministry is about to allow genetically-contaminated Brinjal into the Indian market, and how this decision contradicts the Minister’s promise in June that he won’t allow genetically-tainted food crops into the country. Ask why his position has changed in the past five months.
4. If you are told that genetically-engineered Brinjal is safe to eat, please point out that even tests conducted on chickens for over 90 days have not conclusively proved the safety of genetically-engineered food. This has also been stated by several scientists who have submitted their reports to the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee. And you as a consumer have a right to choose safe, genetically-unadulterated food.
5. State that as a concerned citizen, you would like India’s fragile food supply to remain free of genetic contamination, and if his Ministry decides in favour of such food tomorrow, it will be in contempt of popular opinion against such food.
Say good-bye and hang up.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
ALWAYS BE POLITE.
DO NOT GET INTO A LONG ARGUMENT (THERE ARE OTHERS WHO ALSO WANT TO TALK TO HIM).
STICK TO THE POINTS LISTED ABOVE, BUT IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
USE YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE IF YOU’D RATHER NOT SPEAK IN ENGLISH.
7. After your call, please do place on record a summary of your conversation with the MInister by filling in the box below.
Sad, i dinn glance through this page when i was in Pune. I could have joibed the movement too. However, It is high time that Puneites realise the need to save the trees.Or it may go the gurgaon way… A concrete Jungle. In our mad race for urbanization we have forgotten the benefits of a green environment. A small eg. try and find some shade in Gurgaon if you need to park and sit in your car for 15 mins.
Hey Good to know atleast Puneites have started saving trees from feliing. This is a good activity.The whole city is almost made up of Concrete like Big Roads,Buildings,Malls,etc.Many trees have lost their lives due to such urbanization. According to me If you want to cut a single tree then you should first make an arrangement to plant 100 tress. I would like to join the movement if possible. Keep on posting the latest activities. Thank You.
Hi
Pune ought to learn from Delhi(Delhi being the greenest capital of Asia)
With increasing traffic & concrete all around us, trees become inevitable for the environment.
So people plant trees where ever possible.
Go Green…Plant trees!!
Pune is one of the best places and hope it remains …..
I just think its incredible Vaibbhav Pruthis comment. How can you use Delhi as an example of anything environmental. Open your eyes.
you mean to say that Delhi is not the best example.. ?
Trees are very important part of the nature, and it should saved from cutting. I have been to Pune and i think efforts should be made to save them.
Its good that people have started protecting our best friends i.e. TREES… Exquisite work undertaken by Puneites
http://www.loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7918:2009-09-14-12-54-07&catid=32:2009-07-09-02-02-48&Itemid=10
Have a look at this first.
hi,
Pune tree watch is doing a great job! Are there any activities conducted where common people can contribute. where do i get information about the activity calendar???
Let me know cheers
Hi Mrig
Why dont you join punetreewatch@yahoogroups.com for starts and you will get to know more about the group activities from thereon.
Tasneem
Hi PTW … Great work. Have added a link to the PTW blog from the Stuff I Do blog. Sanskriti
I am currently staying in delhi. Do you think there is something light that i can carry out in my locality?
Yes.. there is a similar effort in Delhi. Can you contact Mr Prabhakar Rao Prabhakar Rao .
pra1431@gmail.com
I would like to contribute in your great work. please tell me how ?
Hi Manasi
Why not start by joining the group punetreewatch@yahoogroups.com. This way you will be updated on all the events and activities, and you can participate as you deem fit
Cheers
Tasneem
Pune can learn from Bangalore and Nagpur for preserving the tree. The green city is slowly turning to be concrete city. Keep up the good work.
There’s a tremendous urge to address the public at large that with the ever increasing need for development we must not forget that we need to keep in mind the implications on Mother Nature. For if we do not aim for sustainable growth, our future generations will never know what a beautiful place Pune used to be. Its a great initiative guys… Would love to be a part of your activities!!
Sure, do join us. you can be a part of the communication circle on punetreewatch@yahoogroups.com
I had 2 msgs on this blog…
What happen to them ???
I dont even see my msgs anymore and I return back to read your comments.
Whats happening… Is anyone listening..?
Sorry about that I have responded to you already.. all the best
Sorry about that I have responded to you already in a seperate mail.. all the best
I have never heard this before, but it is possible that some people may have certain allergies which needs to be ascertained. I would think that if you could indeed do that with the help of a medical expert and apply for the felling then you should be able to get it on health grounds. The conditions would be for plantation etc. Where do you live?
I have never heard this before, but it is possible that some people may have certain allergies which needs to be ascertained. I would think that if you could indeed do that with the help of a medical expert and apply for the felling then you should be able to get it on health grounds. The conditions would be for plantation etc. Where do you live?
I live in Viman Nagar, Pune, where the PMC has recently been building pavements.
They’ve poured cement, and laid tiles right up to the very base of the trees, leaving no room for water to get to their roots.
The trees are alright for now, but I’m not sure how long they can survive like this. I spoke to the people cementing the street, and they said they would leave some gap for the trees, but they did not.
Can you do something about this, or could you let me know what I can do?
Thank you.
Hi Chetan
There is a list of numbers we have provided in the contact us section. You can look up the number of the person working in the locality and speak with him. If you can, do send us a feedback as well on just.tasneem@gmail.com or 9850918042. We can take it from there
I want to be a part of this organization by participating saving and growing trees. I want to save them because this what people know and praise about my city. Please let me know the procedure.?
Dear Sonia
Thank you for your interest. You could start by joining punetreewatch@yahoogroups.com
Great going guys!! kudos to you all.
is there any list created for Native & drought tolerent species of trees which could be used to reduce the potable water usage for landscaping…..
Hi Mahesh
Thanks for your kind words. There is a list on one of our brochures called “It’s Tree Time”. You can also contact Manasi or Ketaki from oikos. The email id is oikos@oikos.in
Tasneem
Dear PTW members,
I stay in Lullanagar, lane no 1. I have plant some trees outside my building and have been taking care of them for the last 5 years.
In the last two weeks the municipality cleaners have burned garbage and dry leaves right under these young trees charring them to death. It is a big loss for me as i have really taken efforts to prune, water and fertilise them. Is there any way we can stop this from happening in future. The cleaners are least concerned about this loss. At least their seniors should know what is been done in the name of cleaning.
Dear Swati,
Can you speak with Sunmeet.. his number is also available on the blog (under contact us). Also have you tried getting in touch with the Garden Dept. Again the numbers available on this site. Let us know what happens. And you can write directly to my email id on just.tasneem@gmail.com
Hi , On the road from University circle to Baner, there are many places where the tree which were planted by PMC are not present. Whom to approch to fill (replant trees) those empty places?
Thank you !
There is a Baner Area Sabha that is also working on green the neighbourhood. Take this issue up with them, unfortunately I only have an email id Baner AreaSabha [banerareasabha@gmail.com]
Other people to approach is the National Society of Clean Cities. nsccpune@gmail.com. The convenor is Mr Satish Khot, you can contact him on 9371221142
Also in the list of contact us, we have a representative from Baner/Aundh do contact them as well
uh .. whom do you have to contact to participate and be a part of this pune tree watch …
you just have to become a part of punetreewatch@yahoogroups.com. You will be updated on what all is happening by members and how you could participate in those activities.
Hello Tasneem,
Greetings!!
Came across your group through an article published in DNA. The group and its activity interest me and would like to know more about your efforts. I am keen to support you and be a part of the noble work that you are into. Please let me know the possibilities.
Thanks & Regards,
Mustafa E Harnesswala
Dear Mustufa,
why dont you join punetreewatch@yahoogroups.com. That way you would be updated with all our activities and you can contribute when there is a need.
Tasneem
Hey,
I wish I knew of this when I was in Pune!!!
But this is brilliant!!!
The awareness of our planet going bald (literally) needs to spread especially amongst youngsters.
I want to make a difference to the world I plan to stay in for the next 50 years atleast!! Thank you for coming up with this brilliant concept!!
Inspite of not being in Pune anymore, I would like to be kept updated with absolutely anything that has to do with Mother Nature
Thank You,
Nupur
Could you help!!!!
My society where I live has a divine man in charge of the green cover. This is an internal note of the Managing Commitee I managed to get. Bldg 13 the trees are truly CHOPPED………feel so Sad!!! Clover H has a beautiful green cover I pray it stays on forever…..pl help
Santosh Hegde +919881699998
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-This is the mail I talk about
Hon Secretary
Clover Highlands Co-op Housing Society Ltd
I believe, our Managing committee has appointed Mr Jeeven Desmukh & Col. Ashok Kapoor as two people subcommittee to look in to Trimming of all over grown trees in the society campus. Yesterday evening, I saw tree cutting job done in building number 13.
It was observed that trees are NOT just Trimmed, but are virtually CHOPPED Off!
Along with me few other members also saw that and felt that Trees are damaged and procedure & extent of trimming should be discussed and laid down before any further Chopping is done as the damage done by such indiscriminate chopping will take year to restore beauty of the full grown tree.
In the same evening, I tried to talk to Col. Ashok Kapoor and asked him about the job done in Building no-13, but he said that he NOT AWARE and hasn’t seen it.
This morning, I requested Manager Pradeep to go and check the Chopping job carried out and ensure that it’s not repeated in other building unless its discussed with the office bearers. In this connection as suggested by other two office bearers I tried to call subcommittee members, Col. Ashok Kapoor was not available & Mr. Jeevan Desmukh was in confrontation mood and asked for my authority to intervene in this matter.
At this stage without going in to argument, I asked Mr. Desmukh to exercise his authority to any other building but “KEEP OFF” Building no 16.
IN MY OPINION, you all should make a site seeing trip to building no-13 to verify what I have stated above and decide about extent of CHOPPING or Trimming to be done in their own buildings.
Regards.
Dhimant Desai.
Could you all help please
Dear Mr Hegde. I am not in Pune else I would have helped. Simple things to do –
a) ask to see the letter of permission from the garden department for such cutting and pruning. If they do not produce it, it is very likely that the cutting is illegal.
b) if the letter is there, then you can check the scale of work for which the permission has been given. If it adheres to the letter or not
c) in case you see there are illegalities, then you can “threaten” to call the garden department or you can “call” them. Depends on the level of closeness you share with your society (will they understand, etc) and also the level you are willing to follow it up.
d) Contact the residents forum in Kondhwa.. I have already forwarded your mail to them and I have asked the person to connect with you. Sushil Kumar – 982329101
Hope this is useful
Tasneem
Thanks Tasneem,
I have writen to the Sub Comittee of the Society as u have advised and will follow up till I am convinced that our trees are SAFE
Thanks again and will update u on this.I will contact the gentleman from the Kondwa Forum too