The proposed construction of the Sadhugram for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik has ignited a significant controversy, pitting the state government against its allies and environmental activists. The core issue revolves around the potential removal of trees from the Tapovan area to make space for the temporary township meant for seers.
Minister's Assurance Amidst Growing Opposition
Water Resources and Kumbh Mela Minister Girish Mahajan stated on Friday that the development of Sadhugram at Tapovan is essential. He emphasized that the state government, which he described as environmentally sensitive, is committed to ensuring Nashik's green cover only increases because of the mega event.
Mahajan outlined a detailed plan for the trees. He specified that only trees less than ten years old would be removed and transplanted. This process will be supervised by experts from Rajahmundry (Rajamahendravaram) in Andhra Pradesh. The minister acknowledged that some mortality is expected but aims for a success rate exceeding 70%.
As compensatory green measures, the administration is planting 15,000 indigenous plant species, each already over 15 feet tall, to improve their survival odds. Mahajan also clarified that he was unaware of the Nashik Municipal Corporation's (NMC) separate plan to build a commercial MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) Hub at the site.
Political Allies and Environmentalists Rally in Protest
The minister's statements failed to placate the growing opposition. Partners in the ruling Mahayuti alliance, the Shiv Sena, joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in voicing strong dissent against the tree-felling proposal.
In a symbolic act of defiance, Shiv Sena functionaries visited Tapovan and tied rakhis to the trees, vowing to protect them. District and city unit presidents Ajay Boraste and Praven Tidme condemned the administration's decisions regarding both the MICE hub and Sadhugram. They argued that given the large-scale environmental challenges, not a single tree should be cut.
The protest has also moved to legal and parliamentary forums. MNS vice-president Nitin Pandit has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court. The PIL seeks immediate interim relief against the proposed tree felling and objects to the construction of the MICE Hub on land reserved for Sadhugram.
Parliamentary Echoes and Alternative Suggestions
The issue has resonated in the national parliament as well. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Rajabhau Waje formally raised the matter. Separately, Congress MP Shobha Bachhav (Dhule) and NCP (SP) MP Bhaskar Bhagare (Dindori) have voiced their concerns. Bachhav suggested that the Sadhugram could be set up at a different location, while Bhagare presented the issue directly to the Union Forest Minister, requesting intervention.
The site inspection by Minister Mahajan was conducted alongside MLA Seema Hiray, District Collector Ayush Prasad, and NMC Additional Commissioner Karishma Nair, highlighting the administrative importance placed on the project. As the 2027 Kumbh Mela approaches, the tussle between developmental imperatives for the religious congregation and environmental conservation is set to intensify, with political, legal, and public dimensions adding to the complexity.
