Excessive tree cutting is done to get more costly timber free of cost.Since there is no accountability and vigilance from govt officials, the rampant tree hacking is happening in full swing across PCMC , Pune area. The involvement of timber mafia is very obvious and strict action is required from the state govt to stop this menance to our environment.

As per the Pune Mirror article quoting a timber merchant - “The rate of raw timber belonging to the rain tree, gulmohar, subabul, coconut and almond is over Rs 7,000 per 40 kg. At the other end, the banyan, peepal, neem, nilgiri, and Ashoka trees are being used for the furniture industry. The rate of the timber of these native trees is Rs 500 per cubic feet. The teak wood rate is Rs 1,500 to 300 per sq ft. We do not prefer trimmed branches, and the whole trunk is always useful in the plywood and wooden furniture industry,”