Latest news with #PrashantRaul
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Why it's a Black Environment Week for this PCMC engineer
On June 7, Prashant Raul, an engineer from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), will set off on a 15 km walk from Dehu to Alandi to spread awareness about pollution in the Indrayani River, which connects the two pilgrimage sites, and other ecological realities. If the walk comes after World Environment Day, it is for a reason. 'Across the world, people get together on June 5 to celebrate World Environment Day with sapling plantations and so on. I do not feel that there is any cause to celebrate, as we have damaged all five elements, from earth to air. This is a time for action. That is why I have initiated the Black Environment Week to draw people's attention to real problems,' he says. Raul, who set up an initiative called Green Army Pimpri-Chinchwad four years ago, is observing Black Environment Week this week, during which he is working towards generating awareness and mobilising people to take steps to save the planet. 'Not many people are aware when World Environment Day started and why. There is a lack of awareness that Jeju Province in the Republic of Korea has been chosen as the host location for World Environment Day, or that the theme this year is ending plastic pollution,' he adds. Raul, who was one of the litigants in the Save Metro Eco Park case in 2024, is an active member of PCMC's environment-conscious groups. The Green Army has campaigned against illegal tree felling – Raul has lodged six FIRs against it– and promoted the 'nature island' form of tree transplantation in which small clusters of saplings are planted in barren spaces to encourage afforestation. After Diwali 2024, Raul conducted 13 Air Quality Index (AQI) walks to capture real-time AQIs in PCMC. The Green Army Plate Bank, which has 22 centres in PCMC, gives out free steel plates, glasses and cutlery in an attempt to reduce single-use waste. The days surrounding World Environment Day have been observed as World Cycling Day and Zero Food Waste Day, among others. Raul has been engaging with people online and offline on the dangers of sound pollution caused by blowing horns, and the great problem of waste. On June 5, he will give a talk in a corporate office on a sustainable lifestyle, and conduct an online session on energy literacy. But, it is during the walk that Raul hopes to connect with the highest number of people. 'The Indrayani River is among the most polluted, and I am looking forward to discussions on how untreated sewage is getting discharged in the river, the meanings of biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand and how a river dies,' says Raul. India's acute groundwater crisis and air pollution will also be discussed during Raul's walk. 'I will be conducting Facebook Live sessions and making videos during the walk to reach more people,' he says. While Raul is uncertain about the impact of his advocacy—though there are many responses to his social media posts on the environment—he is undeterred about continuing his crusade for the planet. Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Citizens protest against Indrayani River pollution in Pimpri-Chinchwad
Concerned over the perennial issue of rising pollution in the Indrayani River; hundreds of citizens gathered at the riverbank near Moi Phata on Sunday to protest against the inaction of the local authorities. Holding placards and raising slogans, residents demanded urgent measures to clean the river and stop untreated sewage and waste from flowing into it the river. Prashant Raul, green activist who was part of the protest, said, 'The river water is foaming, and citizens health is at risk. We are not asking for luxury, just clean water and a clean river.' The protesters stated that Ram Nallah, a stream that flows from Kudulwadi and Chikhali joins the Indrayani, was once a natural water body, it has now turned into a gutter filled with construction debris, plastic waste, and contaminated water. 'Three months ago, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) took action against scrap dealers in the area, blaming them for polluting the river. However, even after the crackdown, nothing has changed. Dirty water is still reportedly seen flowing into the river. The administration is simply ignoring the issue,' said Raju Savle, social activist. The protesters also raised concerns about the impact of river pollution on religious towns like Dehu and Alandi, located along the Indrayani. Millions of Warkaris and pilgrims visit these holy sites and drink the river water as sacred. Citizens demanded that the municipal corporation should stop releasing untreated water directly into the river and ensure that only clean water enters it. The natural flow of the river should be maintained. Besides, the dumping of debris and construction material inside the riverbed should be stopped to protect biodiversity. The protesters also pointed out flaws in the ongoing river rejuvenation project by PCMC. Instead of prioritizing sewage treatment, the focus is on beautification. PCMC is building walls and adding decorative elements while ignoring the real problem. Also, in some places, they are even filling up parts of the river, disrupting its natural path. A senior officer from PCMC, on request of anonymity, said, 'Small portion of Indrayani river flows through PCMC limits. There are other local bodies through which these rivers pass, and the river water gets polluted. The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Dehu Cantonment Board, Dehu Municipal Council, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and gram panchayat all these authorities should also work together to stop Indrayani River pollution.'
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Illegal tree felling for RFD project continues
In yet another instance of illegal tree felling, as many as 50 trees have been allegedly hacked in the Pimple-Nilakh area for the Riverfront Development (RFD) project in the twin city of Pimpri-Chinchwad. A written complaint in this regard has been submitted to the Sangvi police station by green activist, Prashant Raul, stating that trees have been axed illegally by the contractor of the RFD project at two locations along the Mula River in Pimple-Nilakh namely Ingawle Ghat and Dada Ghat. The complaint states that action should be taken as per the provisions of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act 1975, informed civic activist Raju Savle. Raul said, 'We visited the location on Saturday, April 19, and saw multiple trees chopped, uprooted and removed for the movement of vehicles of the RFD contractors. More than 50 trees have been cut illegally. We even called the beat marshals and informed Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) officials about the same. However, no action was taken by any of the departments due to which a written complaint has been submitted by us.' Mahesh Bansode, senior police inspector attached to Sangvi police station said, 'The civic body and tree authority have more powers to take action in such cases. We will send the complaint to the PCMC requesting it to conduct a panchnama. Once the investigation report from the PCMC is received, further appropriate action will be taken by us.' Umesh Dhakne, assistant commissioner, garden department, PCMC, said, 'We will look into the issue and take appropriate action in this case. A team will be asked to conduct a panchnama and further action will depend on what is found during the investigation. In past incidents, we have taken action against the culprits and also warned the contractor/s against cutting trees illegally.' This isn't the first such instance of illegal tree felling for the RFD project. Earlier on January 13 this year, RFD contractor Shankar Rathod of Ayyappa Construction was seen cutting the branches of trees of varying thickness without permission in the same area of Pimple-Nilakh. Branches of over 12 trees including two thorny Babul, three Subabul, five Karanj, one Umber, and one Vilayati Chincha were chopped without permission. On March 24, 2025, the PCMC filed a non-cognisable complaint at Sangvi police station stating that an unknown person was seen illegally cutting trees in the Mula River area near Pimple-Nilakh and Panchsheel Nagar (alongside Ingwale Chowk) on March 8. A total 21 trees were felled without permission, including three Subabul, one Neem, and 17 thorny Babul trees.
