Nashik Residents Launch ‘Chipko’ Protest To Stop Felling Of 1,800 Trees For Sinhastha Kumbh Mela Preparations
Nashik Residents Launch ‘Chipko’ Protest To Stop Felling Of 1,800 Trees For Sinhastha Kumbh Mela Preparations
Nashik, November 20,2025: Strong public opposition has emerged after the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) marked over 1,800 trees for cutting, pruning or transplantation to make space for the upcoming Sinhastha Kumbh Mela. The proposed site, Tapovana Sadhugram, is meant to accommodate sadhus and mahants who travel from across the country for the event along the banks of the Godavari.
On Wednesday, environmental activists and local residents gathered at Tapovana and launched a ‘Chipko’ movement, embracing the marked trees in a symbolic protest. Demonstrators demanded that the administration honour its promise of organising a ‘Green Kumbh’ and develop the Sadhugram without felling a single tree.
NMC had earlier issued a public notice inviting objections and suggestions regarding the planned tree cutting. More than 200 objections have already been filed, even after the deadline, prompting the civic body to schedule a hearing early next week.
The marked trees include several mature species such as neem, tamarind and jamun, raising concerns about the ecological impact. Residents recalled that the corporation earlier faced pushback for its plan to demolish a Marathi school building to construct a rest house for the commissioner—a proposal that was later shelved due to public resistance.
Protesters, including activists Rohan Deshpande, Rajendra Bagul and Raju Desale, held placards reading “Save Trees, Save Environment” and “Green Nashik, Clean Nashik,” stressing that the large-scale cutting contradicts the administration’s own ‘Green Kumbh’ announcement.
Environmental groups have urged NMC to shift the proposed Sadhugram to an alternative location to protect the existing green cover. While the 2015 Kumbh Mela used approximately 350 acres for Sadhugram, the new plan expands this to 1,152 acres ahead of the 2026–28 Kumbh Mela. Protesters have also requested that the upcoming public hearing be held at the Tapovana site instead of the municipal hall, ensuring transparency in the process.
