In the wake of ongoing River Front Development (RFD) projects in Pune, several NGOs, environmentalists and citizen groups gathered at Chaphekar Chowk in Pimpri-Chinchwad under Pune district on Sunday to oppose tree felling and loss of natural vegetation across the river banks while demanding cleanliness drives for Mula, Pavna, Indrayani and other rivers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the River-Front Development (RFD) project in Pune in March 2022, almost five years after Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) prepared its detailed project report (DPR) to beautify

Concrete embankments under RFD have the potential to significantly harm biodiversity by disrupting the delicate ecosystem of the river banks, leading to the loss of habitat for various flora and fauna, and potentially impacting the natural balance of the riparian zone. The modification of river edges in natural ways in Siddha Peeth can be a role model for upcoming RFDs,” said Vaishali Gaikwad of the Aarambh Foundation.

the 44-km-long river stretch of Mula and Mutha rivers passing through the city.