Citizens remind politicians to protect hills around Pune, release Citizens’ Manifesto for State polls

Pune: Over 1,000 citizens gathered at Vetal Tekdi on Sunday (October 20, 2024) morning and reminded political parties of their commitment to environment conservation. They appealed to fellow citizens to vote for candidates in the State Assembly elections, who work for the cause.

A ‘Citizens’ Manifesto’ was released after the conclusion of an awareness walk organised by the Vetal Tekdi Kruti Samiti (Save Vetal Tekdi Action Committee).

The walk was conducted from Aapla Maruti to the quarry and back, in which people of all ages and from all walks of life participated.

Ranjeet Rane, a Samiti member, said “With the state heading for assembly elections next month, it becomes important for citizens to articulate their demands for good governance. The silent walk at Vetal Tekdi was organised towards attaining this objective. Those seeking to be elected representatives of the people of Pune need to understand that the citizens need assurance and immediate action for a sustainable and livable future, more so with the looming threat of climate change.

“Declaring Vetal Tekdi and other such biodiversity locations in the city as natural heritage and thereby a ‘no construction, no development’ zone will go a long way in ensuring a better future for the city.”

Members of the Samiti appealed to participants to vote for candidates that openly support conservation at Vetal Tekdi and other hills in the city. Pune’s environmental issues must be a part of their manifesto.

The Citizens’ Manifesto for the State Assembly elections has sought the following assurances from candidates in the fray that they will focus on strengthening public transport by improving the PMPML services; they will follow up with authorities to complete the Metro network and last mile connectivity. Improving PMPML services must be put on high priority; they will not support the three projects planned at Vetal Tekdi mentioned in the Development Plan: Bal Bharati-Paud Phata Road, HCMTR and Twin tunnels from Panchavati-Sutardara and Panchavati-Gokhalenagar; they work to get notified Vetal Tekdi and other hils around the city as ‘Natural Heritage Sites’ and ‘No Development Zones’.

A Samiti member, Sushma Date, recently posted about a cleanliness drive conducted by city-based IT company employees as a part of their CSR activity. In a post on X, she stated: ‘More than 35 sacks of plastic and glass litter collected and sent off with a PMC ghanta gaadi. Saturday morning was well spent!

‘Thank you @cybage_csr CSR team for conducting this clean up drive on @VetalTekdi with @VTBKS_Pune and @EcoforceE. Many regular tekdi walkers joined in too.’

Rane said, “On Sunday, we reiterated the three demands for saving the hills around Pune. Cleaning and preservation is an ongoing activity, not limited to one day.”

Last year thousands of Punekars had walked the streets calling for immediate action to protect the hills, which are Pune’s identity and Puneites have a strong emotional bond with them.