This is a presentation by CDSA on the bio-diversity plan proposed for Pune. In the light of the govt. giving into vested interests who would like to get the hill slopes developed, understanding the implications is very important for every citizen of Pune and maybe even India.

1. Implementing the BDP
Ways and Means
Aneeta Gokhale Benninger
Prof. of Sustainable Development
Planning and Executive Director
CDSA
15th July 2010

2. Why BDP?
• To Ensure Sustainability of our City as a live-able
habitat
• To ensure that we contribute to mitigating the impact
of pollution created by us
• To justify the continued growth by ensuring that our
behaviour is not irresponsible and negligent towards
the wellbeing and welfare of the future generations
• To be true to our commitments towards Global society
as signatories to the climate change convention
• Be true Punekars and as usual give leadership to the
country in this area of sustainable urban development
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

3. Area under BDP
• Bio Diversity Reservation proposed in the
Development Plan for the 23 newly merged
villages
• Total area is 1646 hectares
• 688 hectares belong to the Government
• 958 hectares are privately owned
• BDP proposed only on Hills
• Hills defined as slope/gradient of 1:5 i.e. 20%
and area encompassed by it.
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

4. Pune Hills
Wikipedia

5. •It is very important to understand that since we
live on the edge of the Western Ghats and
partially on the Deccan Plateau we are located in
an area of what is known as “Trap” topography or
“Step” topography.
•This is created by volcanic action where lava
flows create layers of rock. This creates areas of
slope interspersed with small flat areas which
look like steps.
•This, however is an integral part of the hilly
terrain and ensures luxurious tree growth and
water recharge and integrity of Bio Diversity of
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
the area. ©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

6. Deccan Trap
From Wikipedia

7. What was the Law before this area
was merged with the PMC?
• This area came under the Regional Plan hilly zone
(No Development Zone)
• Under the regional plan not even .01 (1%)
construction was allowed on the hills.
• Once the area was merged with the PMC and the
Draft Development Plan was published on
December 31st 2002 all development is frozen
and no permission can be granted in the interim
until the new Development Plan is in place.
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park, CDSA, Prof.
Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

8. What is the Current law regarding the
Hill Top Hill Slope Zone in the PMC?
• The law does not allow construction on
gradients of 20% (1:5)
• The law does not permit residential use
• The law allows the following:
• M-8 - Hills and Hills slopes Zone
M-8.1 The following uses shall be permissible
in the Hill Zone
1. All agricultural uses
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

9. 2. Forestry and Nursery
3. Public Parks, Private parks, Play fields for
recreation of all types
4. Public Utility Establishments such as electric
sub-stations, receiving stations, sewage disposal,
water works etc.
5. Swimming pools/Sports and Games, Health
clubs, Cafeteria, Canteen, Amusement Park etc.
Note: Maximum FSI shall not exceed 4% of the
total plot with ground floor structure without
stilts.
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

10. Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
CDSA Photo Collection

11. • A number of people have suggested that the flat
“Step” part of the hill with no slope should be
used for construction of Farm Houses where the
plot size should be reduced from 1 acre to 20,000
sq. ft. and people made to plant trees (200 to 400)
and after the trees have grown to a certain height
(not specified either type of tree or height of tree)
allow construction of .10 (10%)
• Apart from the scientific reasons why such a thing
should not even be considered, the “practical”
question is how will anybody reach the flat part
without a road which will have to be made along
the gradient?
• How will any services such as sewage, water
supply, electricity, drainage etc be provided?
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park, CDSA, Prof.
Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

12. Western Ghats Forest Wikipedia

13. • Even if .04 FSI (4%) is given to construct
any building the utilities and services will
take up an additional .33 (33%). With 4%
it will add up to 37% .
• Demolishing the hills to the extent of 37%
at a minimum. This will happen along the
entire area creating huge breaks in the
hills leading to change in the climate for
the worst. Once cut nothing can restore
our hills.
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

14. What is proposed in the Plan?
• The UN recommends a forest area of 12 sq. m. per person
to ensure supply of clean air.
• To Protect the Hills.
• Hills act as “Lungs” of the city.
• To reduce the carbon footprint of Pune City.
• To preserve the remaining natural environment in & around
the city.
• To enhance the rich tapestry of indigenous flora and fauna.
• To create a sense of ownership of the hills amongst the
citizens.
• To serve as a unique example to other cities in India and all
around the world.
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park, CDSA, Prof.
Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

15. PUNE BIO-DIVERSITY PARK
RESERVATION Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park,
©CDSA, Siddhartha Benninger

16. Forest Western Ghats Wikipedia

17. Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
CDSA Photo Collection

18. Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park,
CDSA Photo Collection

19. Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
CDSA Photo Collection

20. BDP Land Areas and Values
Planning unit no. Village Area under BDP in Rate of the ready Valuation
sq.m recknor (100%)
2010 In Rs. Crores
1 Baner, Balewadi 890700 990 88.17
2 Bavdhan Kh., Kothrud 4586300 1150 527.42
3 Warje, Shivne 3141800 630 197.93
4 Hinge Kh,Wadgaon Bk, 3764200 780 293.60
Wadgaon Kh.
5 and 6 Ambegaon Kh and Bk , 2363500 1200 283.61
Katraj and Dhanakwadi
7 Kondhwa Kh and Bk 509000 900 45.80
8 Mohammedwadi, 483600 1320 63.83
Hadapsar
9 Wadgaonsheri and 38900 6550 25.46
Kharadi
10 Kalas, Dhanori 683100 3300 225.41
1646.1100 1751.25
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

21. Note
Average rate per sq. mt. Rs. 1063.79 or Rs. 106.38 per sq. ft.
Or Rs 1.06 crores per hectare. Govt. land approx. 700
hectares will be valued at Rs. 745 crores. Total required for
acquisition of private land will be approx. Rs 1006.25 crores
for paying 100% compensation at the 2010 market rates. 4%
TDR will amount to creating 39 hectares of additional land in
1 FSI buildable area. The market value of this land will be far
higher than that of the Hill area or BDP reservation areas.
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

22. Legal Framework
Acts to implement the BDP
1. The Maharashtra Regional and Town
Planning Act
2. The Forest Act 1928
3. The Land Acquisition Act 1898
4. The Bio Diversity Act
5. The Forest Conservation Act
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

23. Funding and Facilitation
• Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister MOEF is very
keen that this project is implemented and has
suggested the following sources of funding
• The Green India Mission
• The Sustainable Habitat Mission
• The JNNURM
• Urban Forestry under 74th CAA
• CDM to earn carbon credits
Pune Urban Bio Diversity Park
©CDSA Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger

24. Clean Air Shares
• CDSA suggests selling clean air shares to raise
funding from citizens and creating a stake in the BDP.
This will ensure sustainability of the BDP
• Clean Air Shares for every 12 sq. mts. Should be
issued per citizen of Pune. Land acquisition would
cost Rs. 1060/sq. mt i.e Rs. 12600 per unit. Including
planting, protection etc the share may be valued at
Rs. 15,000 per share. This can be paid in
installments. Corporates can contribute by using CSR
to purchase shares for their workers.
• The Population of Pune is 35 lakhs. Thus the
potential is to raise 35lakhs times 15000. This means
Rs. 5250 crores. ©CDSAPune Urban Bio Diversity Park
Prof. Aneeta Gokhale Benninger