Explained: what is the 'Chipko movement redux' in Pune all about?

Placards, beats of drums, slogans, tree-hugging - scenes from Maharashtra's Pune where people are staging a 'Chipko movement' like demonstration against the city's River Front Development (RFD) project.

The demonstrators, which include both locals and environmental activists, are citing the disastrous effects of cutting down thousands of trees along the 44-km stretch of Pune's river bank.

The project which aims at the rejuvenation of Mula and Mutha rivers along with building new sewage treatment plants was inaugurated by PM Modi in March last year.

Activists claim that flood levels of the Mula and Mutha rivers would rise by five feet due to the project as the width of the water course is being reduced.

The Pune Municipal Corporation has refuted the protestors' claims and said that the objective of the project is to protect the river bank on both the sides from flood.

(with PTI inputs)