Parisar

Parisar was founded on 5 June 1981, , by a group of citizens who believed that environmental concerns were inseparable from the quality of urban life.

Over the past 45 years, Parisar has worked on a wide range of issues, from protecting trees, lakes, hills and heritage to encouraging public dialogue on environmental concerns. Since the 1990s, our work has increasingly focused on sustainable , guided by the belief that cities become more liveable, equitable and environmentally responsible when walking, cycling and public transport are prioritised.

As we mark this milestone, we remember Shri Ravi Bhagwat, a founding member, whom we lost in April 2026. He was the editor of , which brought together diverse voices to discuss environmental issues, public policy and sustainable development. Through publications, discussions and public engagement, he helped nurture a culture of informed environmental dialogue that continues to inspire our work today.

Beyond Parisar, Ravi Bhagwat was known for his wide-ranging interests. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2009, he devoted more time to painting, pursuing art with remarkable dedication despite being partially colour-blind.

We remember him with gratitude and honour his contribution to the organisation and environmental action in Pune.

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What does it take to build a cycle-friendly city? A city like that is not created by a single , an annual cycling event, or even a bicycle plan. It is built through a combination of connected networks, safe routes for children, quality infrastructure, effective enforcement, and seamless integration with everyday mobility for every cyclist.

This five-point blueprint draws from years of Parisar's learning, research, and on-ground experience. Our work on cycling has spanned infrastructure audits, school mobility programmes, children's travel research, cycle promotion initiatives, public events, and informing policy. While these efforts have been rooted in , the lessons extend far beyond the city.

Pune already has a Bicycle Plan and a growing community working to make cycling safer and more accessible. As the city gains increasing visibility through events such as , it also has an opportunity to demonstrate what lasting investment in cycling can look like for the thousands of people who cycle every day for work, education, health, livelihood, and leisure.

Pune has the vision. Pune has the legacy (of being India's Cycle Capital). The challenge now is implementation, and we hope this blueprint can help guide the way forward.

Hi, ! If you’re a using the , we’d love to hear your story. 🚲🚇

Your everyday commute — whether a quick ride to the metro station or a longer first- or last-mile journey — is part of a larger, evolving way of moving through the city. And we want to understand it, with you. What does this cycle + metro routine look like for you? What works well, what doesn’t, and what could make it better?

Through this, we hope to piece together the lived experiences of Puneri cyclists who use the metro, highlighting the convenience and affordability (and of course the coolness!) of this combination, as also the gaps, challenges, and the need for more cycle-friendly infrastructure and safer access.

If this sounds like you, comment “cycle metro” and we’ll reach out. Or just DM us, we’re all ears.

📢 The trend of zero ‘Good’ air quality days in continues well into April and the second quarter of 2026.

While most days in April fell under the ‘Satisfactory’ category, the city did not record a single day with truly clean air. “Satisfactory” may sound acceptable, but prolonged exposure can affect vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions.

Another shift worth noting: while PM10 (dust pollution) was the dominant pollutant through the first quarter of 2026, Carbon Monoxide (CO) emerged as the dominant pollutant in April, with concentrations remaining higher than all other pollutants on 17 days of the month. This points to the growing impact of combustion-related sources such as vehicular emissions and open waste burning on Pune’s air.

📱 : Have you started tracking air quality as part of your daily routine? Open the SAMEER App by and check today’s AQI in your area.

🔜 This data is part of our monthly air quality tracking series. Stay tuned for more updates and area-wise insights.

Cities across continue to prioritise roads, flyovers, and faster movement, but what about the that make our streets cooler, calmer, and actually more ?

Join us for a Jane’s Walk in as we explore trees as part of the city’s living infrastructure: bit.ly/JanesWalkParisar26

Through conversations, observations, and simple mapping activities, we’ll look at how trees shape walking experiences, street life, ecology, and in ways we often overlook. We’ll also introduce participants to tree governance: who manages trees, how decisions are made, and why this matters in our rapidly changing city.

🔗 Register here: bit.ly/JanesWalkParisar26
🗓 Sunday, 17 May 2026
🕣 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
📍 Meeting Point: In front of Pebbles Store, DP Road, Aundh, Pune

Ranjit Gadgil from Parisar quoted in this article on pedestrian and two-wheelers riders road safety.

Ranjit Gadgil, Program Director at Parisar, pointed to three factors for the increase in two-wheeler fatalities: First, the sheer number of people relying on two-wheelers. Secondly, helmet use is still a major gap. And third, speed is a huge factor.

Indian roads are deadliest for pedestrians, two-wheeler riders Few public transport options and a large cohort of delivery riders has increased the number of motorbikes and scooters while helmet compliance is poor.