Pune, known for its rapid urbanization and growing population, has seen a significant increase in property owners taking advantage of tax incentives for rainwater harvesting systems. The number of properties benefiting from these tax discounts has skyrocketed from 306 in 2012-2013 to an impressive 3,716 in 2022-2023. This tenfold rise showcases a positive shift towards water conservation practices in the city.
Despite the surge in tax incentives for rainwater harvesting, the overall adoption of these systems remains relatively low compared to solar energy and vermicomposting units. While 23,173 properties qualified for tax discounts across all three categories in 2012-2013, this number has increased to 111,213 in 2022-2023, indicating a broader commitment to sustainable practices in the city.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been actively promoting rainwater harvesting through tax rebates and legislative actions. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently emphasized the importance of installing rainwater harvesting systems in new constructions to address the persistent issue of water scarcity. PMC’s environment officer, Mangesh Dighe, highlighted the crucial role of these systems in storing rainwater and recharging groundwater supplies for the city’s sustainability efforts.
In addition to legislative actions, the PMC has taken proactive steps to install rainwater harvesting systems in civic buildings like schools, hospitals, and municipal headquarters. Approximately 2 lakh private properties in the civic area have the capacity to install rainwater harvesting systems, with potential expansion to 3 lakh if merged areas are included.
Furthermore, Pune’s Metro rail project is also contributing to water conservation efforts by integrating rainwater harvesting systems into all elevated Metro stations and administrative sites. Hemant Sonawane, executive director of Maha Metro, announced this initiative as part of the project’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices in the city.
Overall, Pune’s increasing focus on rainwater harvesting and other sustainable practices is a positive step towards addressing water scarcity and promoting a greener, more eco-friendly city.
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