Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has introduced a new regulation requiring developers to secure approval from the newly established Tree Authority Committee before obtaining construction completion certificates.

This measure, aimed at preserving tree cover in the region, was approved in a recent meeting led by Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase.

The Tree Authority Committee has been constituted under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation and Protection of Trees Act, 1975. Under this regulation, developers must obtain a completion certificate from the Tree Authority before proceeding with any final occupancy or no-objection certificates related to tree cutting.

This initiative underscores the importance of tree conservation in the extensive areas under PMRDA’s jurisdiction, which predominantly include rural landscapes.

The new rules stipulate that if developers fail to comply with the required tree plantation guidelines, they will be required to deposit a certain amount per tree as security.

The final no-objection certificate from the Tree Authority will only be granted once the developer meets the necessary tree plantation criteria.

Additionally, the deposit amount, previously determined for tree conservation during the final approval of land use and plot delineation, will be reassessed and refunded based on the condition of the trees at the time of inspection.

Dr. Yogesh Mhase, who also chairs the Tree Authority Committee, highlighted that this move is part of a broader effort to ensure sustainable development within the PMRDA region.

By tying the construction approval process to tree conservation, the PMRDA aims to create a more balanced approach to urban development that considers environmental impacts alongside infrastructure growth.

This new mandate is expected to significantly influence construction practices within the PMRDA’s expansive and predominantly rural areas, ensuring that development projects contribute positively to the region's ecological health.