REVISED CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PUNE - 2041, MAHARASHTRA, UNDER JNNURM 6 URBAN ENVIRONMENT 6.1 INTRODUCTION The galloping process of industrialization, urbanization and globalization has brought mounting environmental problems including climate change, water shortage and pollution, hazardous waste, smog, loss of bio-diversity and desertification that pose severe challenges to sustainable development. Environmental considerations are assuming greater importance in the urban planning processes of an increasing number of governments around the world. Pune city, now home to more than 3.1 million populations and growing at a rapid pace, is increasingly at the forefront of the most pressing environmental challenges which require governments, public and private organizations and individuals to take a fresh perspective at how economic and social activities can best be organized in the existing urban environment. This chapter takes a closer look at the existing environmental status of various components and to identify the activities and causes for its deterioration and has made an attempt for preparing a basis for preparation of Environmentally Sustainable City Development Plan 2041 for Pune City on the basis of baseline information gathered with regard to resources, environment quality and services. 6.2 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BASELINE 6.2.1 Physical Features Pune city is situated on the banks of two rivers, Mutha and Mula, with their confluence towards the north-east. The geomorphological setting of the city shows a backdrop of hills on the south and south western sides, with steeper slopes and rocky red soils. The lower elevations and comparatively shallower slopes towards the north eastern sides show presence of rich fertile black cotton soil. The dendritic hydrology pattern based on the monsoon is predominant giving rise to a network of seasonal streams and river flowing through alternating valleys and ridges. Such a setting has given rise to a moderate climate with annual rainfall of 700mm. 6.2.2 Geology The city is underlain by basaltic lava flows of upper cretaceous econe age associated with basic intrusive. The soil texture contains alluvial deposits of sand, gravels, fine silts and clays along the bank of the rivers. The thickness of this type of soil varies from 8 to 18 meters. The soil texture of the remaining city is made of silicates, phyllosilicates and okenite group with basalts containing dykes and laterites. 6.2.3 Hills & Forests Resources Pune is situated in close proximity (50kms) on the biodiversity of Sahyadri Hills also known as the Western Ghats. As per the landuse distribution of Pune city, the total area covered under hills and hill slopes is 1245 ha i.e. 5.10% of the total land. The 11 major hills in the city are listed in Table 6-1. 163 | P a g e REVISED CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PUNE - 2041, MAHARASHTRA, UNDER JNNURM Table 6-1: List of Major Hills – Pune City Sl.No. Name of Hills 1 Parvati Hill 2 ARAI and Malwadi Hill 3 Fergusson College Hill 4 Vetal Hill 5 Ram Hill 6 Baner Hill. 7 Taljai Hill 8 Chaturshringi Hill 9 Law College Hill 10 Katraj Hill 11 Kirkitwadi Hill Source: Environmental Status Report (ESR), 2010- 2011 The total area under reserved, forest and agriculture as per the landuse distribution of Pune city is 2905 ha which 11.91% of the total area is. The Hills environment in the city is subject to intense pressure due to development and encroachment. The mounting concrete structures due to these developments have resulted in the loss of green covers on the hills which are a resultant of the increasing climate change. 6,349,667 5,351,845 997,822 Residential Construction Commercial Construction Total Construction Figure 6-1: Construction in Pune – 2010 to 2011 Source: TOI, July 2012 The State government allows 4% construction in the proposed bio-diversity park in the 23 villages merged in the PMC. Further, permitting 4% construction in Biodiversity Park will increase construction footprint. As per the Marshal’s Slum Atlas Report, the unauthorized informal houses/ slums have come up on privately-owned lands in hill top hill slope zone with a total of approximately 62,205 households. Proper protection of the forest is imperative to preserve in order to check the threat of encroachments, wood cutting, garbage dumping and protection from vegetation and soil erosion. To restore the ecology and enrich the green cover on these hills, regeneration, afforestation for biodiversity and protection of these hills is necessary. 6.2.3.1 Urban Forestry Projects under PMC Under the Joint Forest Management project, protection and conservation measures have been taken on various hillocks/ forest. These projects are being jointly done by Forest Department and Pune Municipal Corporation with the participation of local stakeholders. A total of approximately 1826 Acre (738.96 Ha) of forests/ hillocks lands are under development. 291 acre in Baner, 120 acre in Pashan and 61 acre in Sutarwadi, combining to a total 472 acre (191 Ha) of area is under development. Development work of soil and water conservation, tree plantation and construction of protective wall are also on-going. Plantation activity has also been carried out by Pune Municipal Corporation and other organizations. Pune Municipal Corporation has taken a firm steps to increase green cover of the city. 164 | P a g e REVISED CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PUNE - 2041, MAHARASHTRA, UNDER JNNURM The Project was approved and in the first phase forest area at Bhamburda, Warje and Pachgaon Parvati will be taken for the development. The work at Bhamburda and Pachgaon Parvati has already started. The development of forest land will be helpful to the urban area by: Ground water recharge Soil conservation Biodiversity conservation Regulation in climate Carbon sequestering (Pollution Control) PMC has planned for the various developmental works on the forest land at Bhamburda and Warje. Proposed activities under these projects are the construction of boundary wall for the protection, soil and water conservation structures, creation of water bodies restricted entry areas for the public plantation of the suitable species of the plants, water supply. A joint forest management committee was proposed for the execution of this project. Table 6-2: List of Projects under Joint Forest Management Sl.No. Name of Hillock/ Forest Area in Acre 1 Bhamburda tekadi 250 2 Pachgaon tekadi 613 3 Varze tekadi 125 4 Ghorpadi 15 5 Wanwadi 110 6 Vadgaon Sheri 8 7 Kondhwa Bk. 361 8 Kondhwa Khurda 60 9 Mohamadwadi 175 10 Kharadi 9 11 Warje 100 TOTAL 1826 Source: ESR, 2010-2011 6.2.3.2 Biodiversity Park Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had reserved Bio-diversity Parks for restoring the local flora and fauna, to produce carbon sinks and to create awareness about nature conversation. Pune city will be taking ‘People’s Biodiversity Register’ for which Biodiversity Committee will be form. The Biodiversity Park has been proposed to develop in in six different locations as given below. Table 6-3: Proposed Biodiversity Park in Pune City Sl.No. Biodiversity Park Area (ha) 1 Baner – Pashan Lake 118.08 2 Pashan Panchwati 48.89 3 Sutarwadi 25.02 4 Hadapsar 13.65 5 Mohammadwadi 12.71 6 Kondhwa Budruk 2.89 Total 221.24 Source: Environment Dept., PMC 165 | P a g e REVISED CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PUNE - 2041, MAHARASHTRA, UNDER JNNURM The Biodiversity Park once implemented will conserve the native biodiversity and make the public aware of the varied natural heritage and ensure quality life to its people. The proposed Biodiversity Park will have the following impact on the city: Biodiversity Park when developed will function as a mini ecosystem having capacity to render all ecological services. It will serve as green lungs to Pune city and will have positive impact on amelioration of the local climatic conditions. Pune city being in close proximity to the Western Ghats (50 Kms), the proposed parks will ensure space for all important plant communities to ensure protection to important species. It will function as an ideal training center for individuals and organizations involved in eco- restoration and conservation programmes. Biodiversity Park will be planned as commu Biodiversity Park will serve as an ideal nity participatory Programme, providing opportunity to the local community to get involved and have better understanding of the importance of Biodiversity and its conservation. destination for eco-tourism and recreational center. The Implementation Strategy of the proposed Biodiversity Parks is as follows: Construction of the boundary wall for protection Soil and moisture conservation work to be carried out Plantation using local species Developing Interpretation/ Monitoring Center Planning pathways and core areas without esthetically destroying natural areas Involving the surrounding residents for protection Monitoring the biodiversity profile and assessing the changing trends in species diversity of indicator species. 6.2.4 Parks & Gardens As per data from ESR Report, 2011-2012, the city currently has a total of 115 gardens. 5 Nalla gardens are made under the project of ‘Beautification of Nalla’. Road beautification and road side plantation has also been undertaken. These gardens are the main recreational areas for the surrounding neighborhood areas. Theme parks have already been developed in the city as given in table 6-4. Plate 6-1: Japanese Garden – Sinhagad Road 166 | P a g e REVISED CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PUNE - 2041, MAHARASHTRA, UNDER JNNURM Table 6-4: List of Theme Gardens under Garden Department - PMC Sl.No. Name of Theme Gardens Location 1 Japanese Garden Sinhagad Road 2 Garden in mine Maharshinagar 3 Ayurved Garden Kondhwa 4 Naksjatra Garden Erandvane 5 Nalla Park Sahakarnagar 6 Lake Garden Model Colony 7 Rose Garden Sahakarnagar 8 Papilion (butterfly garden) Aryaneshwar Source: ESR, 2010-2011 6.2.5 Water Resources 6.2.5.1 Surface Water Body Pune is crossed by many rivers and streams, which rise near the Sahyadris.