Pune’s Sewage Treatment Project Stalled Due to Biodiversity Heritage Site Status
Aundh, 5th September 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) initiative to establish a 10 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) in Aundh is encountering delays due to regulatory hurdles. The proposed site for this STP, located within the Botanical Garden area, falls under a recently designated biodiversity heritage site, complicating the approval process.
The 10 STPs funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under a central scheme are progressing as planned, but the Aundh STP’s construction has been impeded. This particular site is part of a 33-acre area under Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, which was declared a biodiversity heritage site on August 31, 2020. Initially, the Krishi Vidyapeeth had issued a no-objection certificate for the STP project. However, following the heritage designation, the institution reversed its stance, citing the site’s protected status.
“We have halted work at the site until we receive the necessary approvals,” explained Jagdish Kanore, PMC’s superintending engineer for JICA projects. “We are currently seeking permission from the State Biodiversity Board and the forest department to amend the gazette notification. Once we secure these approvals, we will submit a revised proposal to the state government.”
Srinivasa Rao, the principal chief conservator of forests and member secretary of the State Biodiversity Board, noted, “The land in question belongs to Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, and it is up to them to decide on the transfer of this land to the civic administration. The process of altering the biodiversity heritage site status falls under the National Biodiversity Act, which means any changes to the gazette notification must be approved by the central government.”
In response to the situation, the forest department and the State Biodiversity Board conducted a joint inspection of the site to evaluate the environmental impact. On July 11, Rao requested Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth to decide on the land transfer.
According to Rao’s letter to the institution, “The joint inspection report indicates that the area in question could be transferred to PMC without significant environmental impact.”
On July 18, PMC formally requested the state government to amend the gazette notification to facilitate the land transfer. The corporation has committed to submitting a revised proposal to both the state government and the executive council of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth once the necessary amendments are made.
Sunil Lohate, estate in-charge of the College of Agriculture Pune under Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, stated, “The executive council has indicated that it will approve the land transfer once all necessary approvals are secured and the gazette notification is amended accordingly.”
The resolution of this issue is critical for advancing Pune’s sewage treatment infrastructure while balancing environmental preservation.
