The river flows through the village ofKavadi in thePune district, witnesses many migratory birds. However, increase in pollution in the recent years has resulted in a reduction in the number of birds.[2] Pollution from effluents released into the river atPune has been found to cause high levels of pollution in theBhima River, the reservoir ofUjani dam and Krishna River, too, resulting in many water-borne ailments.[3]
Due to high levels of pollution, including 125 MLD of untreated sewerage water being discharged into the river by thePune Municipal Corporation, theMaharashtra Pollution Control Board has classified the water quality to be ofClass-IV.[4] The Pune Municipal Corporation announced plans to clean up and restore the river by pumping in oxygen on the lines of restoration efforts undertaken inMumbai for theMithi River.[5]
In 2011, it was reported that several Japanese businessmen were keen on offering support to a plan initiated by theMahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture and supported by thePune Municipal Corporation to clean up and beautify the Mula-Mutha river.[6] The same year, the Pune Municipal Corporation gave its approval to build a riverside road on the banks of the Mula-Mutha from Shivane toKharadi, covering a distance of 22 kilometres (14 mi) to link several important roads in the city.[7]
In 2022, thePune Municipal Corporation under the ruling partyBJP has given its nod to spend over Rs5,500 crore on the improvement and beautification of the Mula-Mutha river in the coming years, in this two mega projects including development of the riverfront (total Rs4,000 crore) and rejuvenation of the river (total Rs1,500 crore) will take place.[9] According to RTI requests filed by Sarang Yadwadkar, an environmentalist, the project is laced with many irregularities and has been violating environmental norms.[10]
.svg)