Nashik Faces Conflict Over Infrastructure Development and Environmental Protection Ahead of Kumbh Mela
Nashik’s Kumbh push triggers dispute between faith, infra and green cover
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Nashik, Maharashtra, is experiencing a conflict between infrastructure development for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela and environmental concerns over the felling of over 3,000 trees. While the government pushes for projects worth ₹35,000 crore to accommodate millions of pilgrims, activists argue that the ecological balance is at risk.
- 01Nashik is preparing for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, expected to draw around 80 million devotees.
- 02The state government plans to cut over 3,000 trees for infrastructure upgrades worth ₹35,000 crore.
- 03The National Green Tribunal has temporarily halted tree felling until April 28, 2024.
- 04Local residents and activists are divided on the necessity of tree removal for development.
- 05Environmentalists warn that cutting mature trees could disrupt the local climate.
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Nashik, Maharashtra, with a population of 2.5 million, is at the center of a significant dispute as it prepares for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, one of India's largest religious gatherings, expected to attract 80 million devotees from October 31, 2026, to July 24, 2028. The government is pushing forward with infrastructure projects worth ₹35,000 crore to enhance facilities for the influx of pilgrims, including the felling of over 3,000 trees, some over 300 years old. However, this has sparked protests from local residents and environmentalists who argue that the city's green cover is being sacrificed for development. The Pune bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has intervened, temporarily halting tree felling until April 28, 2024, after a petition by environmentalist Manish Baviskar. Activists contend that the ecological balance is crucial and that alternatives should be considered rather than cutting down mature trees. While some residents support the development for economic growth, others express concern over safety and the environmental impact of such actions. The conflict highlights the tension between faith, infrastructure needs, and environmental preservation in Nashik.
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The ongoing tree removal could lead to significant changes in local ecology and climate, affecting residents' quality of life.
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