The Pune bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued an interim stay on the felling of trees in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, a move that directly impacts the city’s infrastructure preparations for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The stay, effective until April 28, comes amid mounting public protests and a legal challenge centered on the balance between urban development and environmental conservation.
The tribunal’s intervention follows a petition filed by Nashik-based environmentalist Manish Baviskar. During a hearing on Tuesday, the NGT bench directed the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to halt all tree-cutting activities and scheduled the next hearing for April 28, at which time the civic body must formally present its justification for the project.
The controversy reached a boiling point earlier this week when the NMC began removing trees along Gangapur Road to facilitate road widening. The action sparked immediate resistance from a large section of residents, who launched a protest on Monday to protect the city’s green cover.
While environmentalists argue that the ecological cost of the project is too high, the NMC maintains that the expansion is a matter of public safety. Nashik Mayor Himgauri Aher-Adke defended the decision on Thursday, asserting that the plan was not a “sudden” move but a calculated response to rising traffic congestion and a surge in road accidents.
“Since the last few years, the number of accidents in the city has increased considerably,” Mayor Aher-Adke stated. Citing police records, she noted that 46 citizens lost their lives in recent years, with another 31 deaths and 23 injuries recorded specifically between 2015 and 2019. “This is very serious, and immediate measures need to be taken for the safety of citizens,” she added.
A significant driver for the infrastructure overhaul is the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, scheduled to take place over a 28-month period from October 31, 2026, to July 24, 2028. City officials expect a massive influx of 12 to 15 crore devotees during the event, necessitating wider arterial routes to manage the human and vehicular traffic.
The Mayor claimed that the NMC is prioritizing tree conservation wherever possible and is implementing environment-friendly measures in strict compliance with Supreme Court directives. “In view of the growing traffic congestion, series of accidents, and forthcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, expansion of roads is inevitable,” she said.
The issue has polarized local residents. While many have joined the protests against the felling, posters supporting the NMC’s decision have also appeared at the project site. Pro-development residents argue that while trees are vital, those posing a risk to human life or obstructing critical infrastructure must be removed for the sake of the city’s growth.
The NGT’s upcoming hearing on April 28 will be a decisive moment for Nashik, as the tribunal weighs the urgent safety and logistical requirements of the Kumbh Mela against the long-term environmental impact of losing the city’s mature trees.
