Parliament Question: Riverfront and Riparian Biodiversity Protection in Pune

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 45 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026 Riverfront and Riparian Biodiversity Protection in Pune 45. DR. MEDHA VISHRAM KULKARNI: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has received any complaints or reports regarding alleged unscientific dredging and dumping activities at the Ramnadi–Mula river confluence in the Pimpri- Chinchwad area, reportedly affecting river flow and local biodiversity and if so, the details thereof; (b) the steps taken to ensure strict compliance with prescribed environmental safeguards, wetland protection provisions and river rejuvenation guidelines in the said area; and (c) whether any monitoring, impact assessment or appropriate action has been initiated against the concerned civic authorities or contractors and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (c) As informed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has received complaints about illegal sand excavation and dumping of debris on the river bank near the confluence of the Ram River and Mula River on which, PCMC has taken action including removal of 2.42 Lakh cubic metres of debris from Mula river bank, lodging FIR, issuing instructions tothe concerned authorities to take appropriate action as per applicable laws etc. A River Management and Rejuvenation Committee, constituted under the Chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner, oversees the river management and rejuvenation activities for Mula and Ram rivers through periodic review meetings and joint site inspections. The PCMC has installed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at identified locations near the river confluence to deter and detect unauthorized dumping and river pollution. A Nuisance Investigation Team has also been constituted by the PCMC in the year 2021 to take action against establishments and individuals responsible for river pollution within its jurisdiction. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has issued show-cause notices vide letter dated 18.11.2024 and 30.04.2025 to the Pune Municipal Corporation for discharging untreated domestic effluents into Ram river and for not controlling sand excavation and disposing of construction and demolition wastes on the Ram- Mula river confluence and its banks. *****