Pune’s hills under threat as encroachments eat into city’s green cover

['Ajay Jadhav', 'Ajay Jadhav Is An Assistant Editor At The Indian Express', 'Pune. With Over Years Of Experience In The Industry', 'He Is A Highly Specialized Journalist Whose Work Focuses On The Intersection Of Urban Infrastructure', 'Governance', 'Sustainability.', 'Professional Background', 'Role', 'As Assistant Editor', 'He Plays A Key Role In The Editorial Direction Of The Pune Bureau'] The Indian Express 2026-08-07 16:24:08

There are around 10 hills across Pune, and all have witnessed some form of encroachment, damaging their ecology. (File Photo)Environmentalists and civil activists in Pune have for years opposed the destruction of the city’s hills, which they describe as its lungs. The Pune Green movement has been working to protect these green spaces from being lost in the name of development. The movement also pushed policymakers to introduce Biodiversity Park (BDP) reservations on hills, restricting construction activities. There are around 10 hills across Pune, and all have witnessed some form of encroachment, damaging their ecology.