Nagpur High Court Issues Restraint on Tree Cutting for Orange City Street Project
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a firm stand to protect the city's green cover by issuing a significant interim order. On Tuesday, the court restrained the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) from cutting 'even a single tree' in the proposed Orange City Street project area. This directive will remain in effect until a comprehensive tree census is completed and formally submitted to the court for review.
Court Clarifies Stance on Development Versus Conservation
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode delivered this oral directive during the hearing of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The PIL was initiated following a letter from Khamla resident and lawyer Dnyandeep Bhongade, who raised serious allegations about the large-scale cutting of mature trees in the area.
The bench clarified that it is not opposed to urban development projects, but issued a strong caution. It stated that any tree felling 'must not exceed the permission granted' by the authorities. This highlights the court's intent to ensure that development activities adhere strictly to environmental regulations and approved limits.
Details of the Tree Census and Legal Proceedings
During the hearing, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation informed the court that it had assigned a private agency named Terecon to conduct the detailed tree census. The civic body assured the bench that this exercise would be completed within a period of 20 days from the hearing date.
Recording this submission, the bench directed that no tree be felled until the complete census report is placed on the court's record. The matter has been scheduled for a further hearing after four weeks to review progress and the submitted report.
Legal representation included Rahul Dhande appearing as amicus curiae (friend of the court), while Gemini Kasat represented the Nagpur Municipal Corporation in the proceedings.
Background and Environmental Concerns Raised
According to the petitioner Dnyandeep Bhongade, several fully grown trees were already cut near Khamla Bazaar at the site. This location was earlier known as the London Street project and has now been renamed the Orange City Street project. Bhongade warned that such indiscriminate felling could severely disturb the local climate and reduce oxygen levels in the area.
His communication to the court also referenced the construction of a large mall at the site of the old mutton market, indicating broader development plans that threaten the existing green cover.
In earlier proceedings, the court had directed the authorities to submit a detailed account specifying:
- The total number of trees present in the project area
- The exact number of trees proposed to be cut for the development
Ecological Arguments and Citizen Perspective
Describing trees as 'the lungs of this city', Bhongade presented a compelling ecological argument. He contended that large-scale deforestation would have multiple adverse effects, including:
- Compromising soil stability in the area
- Reducing groundwater retention capacity
- Lowering ambient oxygen levels
He also pointed to the ecological linkage with Sonegaon Lake, located approximately 1.5 kilometres away from the project site. Bhongade argued that the surrounding green cover plays a crucial role in sustaining the lake's water levels through natural hydrological processes.
'We are ready for development, but what is the cost of it?' Bhongade questioned during the proceedings. He emphasized that 'malls and showrooms cannot give us fresh oxygen, fresh air or the sound of birds. These trees give all this free of cost.' This statement underscores the growing public concern about balancing urban development with environmental preservation in Nagpur.
