Tapovan tree felling row deepens in Nashik

The controversy over tree felling for Simhastha Kumbh Mela projects in Nashik has intensified, with the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) beginning the cutting of 114 trees for a new bridge and road over the Nandini River.

- FPJ News Network

The action has drawn strong opposition from environmentalists, who allege that it violates an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directing that no trees be cut in the district without completing all legal procedures.

While tree felling in Tapovan was already under scrutiny, it has now emerged that old banyan trees dating back to the British era were also cut for a road connecting to the Samruddhi Mahamarg. In the latest instance, around 50 trees were felled before the work was halted following objections raised by environmentalists. They have warned of filing a contempt petition in the Green Tribunal, while the civic body has maintained that the felling was undertaken only after due process.