“The microbes, fishes, insects, and other microorganisms in the river ecosystem would clean the rivers by themselves provided we stop the untreated sewage water from entering them. How can the riverfront be embellished by felling trees? Roughly, five trees can nullify the carbon released by one air conditioner, how can we match the balance of ever-increasing carbon emissions by cutting them (trees)? Citizens haven’t asked for such projects nor do we intend such growth and development that harms ecology,” said participant Vaishali Dalvi.

“Nashik’s Goda Park project has caused a loss of riverine ecology. The extensive concretisation of the riverbanks has blocked water structures and changed the river’s natural flow. This has led to flooding and lateral erosion in the surrounding areas. The same can be witnessed in Pune if RFD continues,” added Dalvi.RFD will significantly damage the river ecology, increasing flood risks by narrowing the riverbed, and potentially leading to further environmental degradation through construction activities along the riverbanks, essentially prioritising aesthetics over the health of the river system”, said Ramesh Sardesai, 82, a participant.