Nashik Municipal Corporation Proposes Major Tree Removal for Kumbh Mela Infrastructure
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has put forward a significant proposal to cut down 454 trees across three key road corridors in the city. This move is part of extensive road widening and strengthening initiatives being undertaken in preparation for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. On Saturday, the civic administration issued separate public notices, formally inviting suggestions and objections from residents regarding the proposed tree felling for these critical road projects.
Detailed Breakdown of Proposed Tree Felling Locations
The NMC has outlined specific areas where tree removal is planned. On Gangapur Road, a substantial 319 trees are slated to be cut between Bardan Phata and Sula Chowk. However, in a partial mitigation effort, officials have confirmed that 16 trees on this same stretch will be transplanted instead. "We will transplant 16 trees, which are of indigenous species like pipal and banyan," stated NMC representatives, highlighting a focus on preserving native flora where feasible.
Additionally, the corporation has proposed felling 94 trees along the route from Sangam Bridge to Takligaon and Vijay Mamta Chowk. Another 41 trees are earmarked for removal along the Lekhanagar–Kalangar–Ashoka Marg corridor to facilitate necessary infrastructure upgrades. This announcement follows a similar proposal made just a day earlier, on Friday, where the NMC suggested cutting 51 trees on the Papaya Nursery to XLO point stretch, which connects the two major MIDC areas of Satpur and Ambad within the municipal jurisdiction.
Public Consultation and Compensatory Measures
The NMC has urged residents to submit their formal suggestions and objections within a seven-day window, with the deadline set for February 20. Civic officials have assured that individuals who raise objections will be invited to a hearing, likely scheduled towards the end of this month or in early March. This process aims to incorporate public feedback into the final decision-making.
In response to environmental concerns, the NMC has committed to undertaking compensatory plantation. The scale of this replanting effort will be determined by the estimated age of the trees being felled. For instance, if the average age of the affected trees is around 15 years, the corporation will be obligated to plant a corresponding number of saplings to offset the ecological impact.
Environmentalists Voice Strong Opposition
Meanwhile, environmental activists and social groups in Nashik have expressed strong reservations about the proposed tree removal. They are demanding that the municipal corporation explore all possible alternatives to develop and strengthen the roads without resorting to large-scale tree cutting. "We want the civic body to ensure a green Kumbh without cutting trees in large numbers," emphasized the activists. Their demands include investigating alternative road alignments and making concerted efforts to preserve large, mature, and indigenous trees wherever possible, advocating for a more sustainable approach to the city's infrastructure development ahead of the major religious event.
