The Pune bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday extended its interim stay on tree felling in Nashik until August 14, refusing to lift restrictions on cutting trees for development projects linked to the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027.
NGT Order and Criticism of NMC
A bench comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and judicial member Sujit Kumar Bajpayee ordered that the existing stay continue till the next hearing. The tribunal also criticized the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) for failing to submit its reply despite earlier directions.
Background of the Case
The matter dates back to April 7, when the NGT first imposed a restraint on all tree felling in Nashik while hearing a petition filed by environmental activist Manish Baviskar. Initially effective till April 28, the stay was later extended to June 19. With the latest order, the restriction will now remain in force until mid-August.
Advocate Shriram Pingle, representing Baviskar, said the tribunal rejected NMC’s plea seeking to vacate the stay. “The NMC had filed an application to lift the interim stay granted on April 7. The tribunal, however, dismissed the request and continued the stay until the next hearing on August 14,” he said. Pingle added that the bench expressed concern over the civic body’s delay in submitting its response. The tribunal directed NMC to file its affidavit within a week, outlining its position on the tree felling carried out in the city despite the April 7 order.
NMC's Response
NMC garden superintendent Vivek Bhadane confirmed the extension of the stay. “We are awaiting the detailed order of the tribunal and will comply with the directions issued by the honourable court,” he said.
Petitioner's Allegations
In his petition, Baviskar has challenged 35 public notices issued by NMC between November 12, 2025, and March 10, 2026, alleging indiscriminate and illegal tree felling across Nashik. He claimed that several notices lacked basic information, including the number of trees proposed to be cut.
While civic officials had indicated that around 1,800 trees would be felled for infrastructure projects, the petitioner alleged the actual number could exceed 5,000. He further alleged that nearly 1,500 trees had already been cut without following due legal procedures and in violation of earlier Bombay High Court directions.
