The proposal to cut down trees in Nashik's Tapovan area to develop a 'sadhugram' for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela has erupted into a major political controversy. With the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections scheduled for January 15, the issue has put the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is contesting independently, firmly on the defensive.
Political Alliances Shift as Greens Campaign Gains Traction
Environmental groups have launched a vigorous campaign against the municipal corporation's plan, directly challenging all electoral candidates to publicly declare their position. This move has significantly altered the local political landscape. In a notable development, the BJP's own allies in the Mahayuti coalition – the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) – have joined opposition parties in backing the activists.
So far, 13 candidates have submitted formal affidavits pledging to oppose the tree cutting. This list includes eight candidates from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and two from the NCP (SP). Activists leading the 'Save Tapovan Trees' campaign have announced they will publish a final list of supporting candidates before polling day.
"We appeal to all candidates to clearly state their position on the issue. More affidavits are expected in the coming days," stated campaign spearhead Rohan Deshpande.
BJP's Defensive Stance and Internal Rifts
Facing mounting pressure, BJP state spokesperson Laxman Savji argued that environmental matters should not be politicized, asserting that trees do not belong to any political party. He sought to clarify the scale of the project, claiming that no large trees would be felled. According to Savji, only shrubs or small, non-native species would be transplanted to other locations.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Devendra Fadnavis work tirelessly year-round, and any decision taken by the chief minister is guided by a long-term vision," Savji said. He accused other parties of exploiting the issue for narrow political gains ahead of the civic polls, questioning their genuine concern for the environment and their development agenda.
However, the BJP's challenges are compounded by dissent from within its broader alliance. Senior figures like state education minister Dada Bhuse, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde have publicly opposed the tree-felling plan. "If preparations for the Kumbh Mela are required, they must be carried out without cutting the trees," Shinde told reporters in Nashik.
Opposition Leaders Rally the Public
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, during a recent visit to Nashik, made a direct appeal to voters. He urged them not to support any candidate who backs the proposal to cut trees and instructed his party's NMC candidates to submit affidavits against the move. "Development cannot come at the cost of destroying nature," Thackeray emphasized.
Echoing this sentiment, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant stated, "We oppose the felling of trees for corporate interests. Tapovan's green patch must be preserved."
Government's Evolving Position
The initial stance from the government was firm. Kumbh Mela minister Girish Mahajan had defended the plan, stating that trees obstructing the sadhugram development would be removed. However, as protests intensified and political opposition solidified, the government's position appeared to soften.
Amid the growing backlash, Minister Mahajan later assured that trees planted over the past six to seven years would be transplanted to other locations instead of being cut down. This shift highlights the significant pressure the administration is facing on this sensitive issue, which has now become a central flashpoint in the high-stakes NMC election campaign.
