The Maharashtra government is facing mounting public anger after the Nashik Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) Garden Department issued a notice to fell nearly 1,800 trees in Tapovan to create Sadhugram, the designated settlement for sadhus during the 2026 Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
Tensions escalated sharply after Minister Girish Mahajan, who is overseeing preparations for the Kumbh, remarked: “If trees need to be removed, they will have to be removed. Otherwise, environmentalists should tell us where else they want us to hold the Kumbh.”
His comments triggered widespread outrage in Nashik, where thousands of residents have stepped out over the past week, forming human chains, filing objections, and invoking the spirit of historic Chipko movements in a bid to save the Tapovan green cover.
Activist Ambarish More questioned the rationale and legality behind lifting the reservation on Sadhugram and criticised the lack of accountability. “The British had documented the babhul forest in Nashik’s Tapovan–Takli area. Where has that forest disappeared?” he asked, demanding action against officials who facilitated the proposal.
Another protester, Sudam Hadpe, issued a stark warning: “We may become Nepal, we may become Bangladesh, but we will not allow even a single tree to be cut.”
Environmental expert Dr Bhanose underscored the ecological significance of the Tapovan stretch. “Whether it’s one tree or 1,835 trees, that is not the point. This is a biodiversity zone. Many species depend on this habitat. Are we going to consider them or not?” he said.
Citizen-led mobilisation intensified after environmental advocate Roshan Kedar raised an alarm online. He said many initially appeared indifferent until he shot a video highlighting the size and age of the trees. “When I called people, no one seemed bothered. So I made a video to show how big and old these trees are. I work with the Municipal Corporation on other projects too, but this needed opposition,” he explained.
Kedar said residents’ attempts to file objections via email were dismissed by officials, who insisted only handwritten submissions would be accepted. “They told us the system hangs and that only written objections would be accepted. If officers’ leaves can be approved online, why can’t objections be submitted online? Where has Digital India vanished in Nashik?” he asked.
He also flagged inconsistencies in the administration’s reporting of objections: “Media reports showed different tree counts. First we heard 200 objections were filed. Then we were told only 99 were recorded. How do these numbers mismatch? Officers aren’t even addressing these doubts.”
According to Kedar, activists have already suggested five to six alternative Sadhugram sites on government-owned land, including Gandhinagar, Nehrunagar, Meri and Mhasrul, which they argue can comfortably accommodate the temporary settlement without ecological damage.
Following intense protests and sustained public pressure, the NMC on 27 November removed more than 500 trees from the proposed felling list, a decision that brought partial relief to residents. However, activists maintain that the fight will continue until the entire Tapovan green belt is protected.
