How citizen scientists are mapping Pune’s trees, with hopes of a greener future

PUNE, India — On a peaceful Saturday morning, far from the usual urban bustle of Pune, citizens convene at the tranquil Madhavrao Scindia Garden situated along the Mula River. Adjacent to the water, two fishermen calmly maneuver their boat around a lush forested area on the opposite bank, the soothing shade and melodious bird calls create an idyllic natural symphony that one would wish to hear daily.

This serene environment is becoming increasingly scarce in a bustling metropolis such as Pune, whose population is estimated at 7.9 million inhabitants. However, these volunteers assemble every weekend, armed with measuring tapes, smartphones and an insatiable curiosity to explore and document the trees in the city's riverine zones.

On this particular Saturday, a group of seven individuals embarks on a journey to a city park nestled beside the riverbank, where towering trees stand defiantly against the azure sky. The volunteers are members of Pune River Revival, a grassroots initiative that emerged in response to the Pune Riverfront Development Project, a massive urban redevelopment scheme along the Mula-Mutha rivers aimed at creating promenades, recreational spaces and infrastructure along the riverbanks.

The project's estimated total cost is around 4,727 crore rupees, approximately $500 million. "We began systematically organizing the tree mapping exercise in 2024," elucidates Raghunandan Patil, a dedicated volunteer with the group. "Previously, our volunteers would manually conduct tree mapping, but at that time, the team lacked the technical know-how on how to map a tree accurately and compile comprehensive documentation." Patil further states that now they...This story was originally published on Mongabay.