hief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said only the minimum number of trees should be cut and took a swipe at those “doing politics” over the issue
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said only the minimum number of trees should be cut. FILE PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
The Maharashtra government has eased its position on the controversial tree axing plan at Tapovan in Nashik for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said only the minimum number of trees should be cut and took a swipe at those “doing politics” over the issue.
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has proposed cutting nearly 1800 trees for the construction of the Sadhu Gram in Nashik’s Tapovan area. The proposal to cut trees for the Kumbh Mela 2027 has faced strong opposition from actors, environmentalists, nature lovers, Opposition parties, ruling party members, and local residents.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (right) and MNS chief Raj Thackeray have strongly opposed the plan. FILE PIC/RANE ASHISH
Recently, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader — actor Sayaji Shinde — strongly opposed the NMC decision and dared the administration to go ahead with the tree-cutting exercise.
Speaking about the controversy, Fadnavis claimed that some people have started activism and a few have become “environmentalists politically”. “The aim is to cut a minimum number of trees, and we are working accordingly,” the chief minister said. Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in a social media post, called for a balanced approach that considers both environmental protection and development needs.
‘Not all trees will be cut’
A senior administrative official stated, on the condition of anonymity, that the claim of 1800 trees being axed for the Kumbh project was misleading. According to them, not all trees will be cut down. Instead, many will be carefully uprooted and replanted at suitable locations. “This figure is being exaggerated. Proper plans are being made to save and replant the trees wherever possible,” said the official. A leader from the ruling party added, “Some people are trying to create unnecessary hurdles in the Kumbh preparations, but they will not succeed in their goals.”
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