Nagpur: A total of 396 heritage and non-heritage trees are proposed to be felled or transplanted across multiple govt project sites in Nagpur, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) informed the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court recently. The civic body has assured compensatory plantation of 7,717 trees.The information was submitted through an additional affidavit filed by advocate Jemini Kasat, in response to a PIL, which challenged large-scale tree cutting for development projects without public consultation or ecological scrutiny.According to the affidavit, the NMC’s tree authority reviewed and granted permissions under Section 8 of the Maharashtra (urban areas) protection and preservation of trees Act, 1975. The affidavit lists six proposals, including major projects at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), and the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur.At IGGMCH’s mortuary, 13 non-heritage trees were approved for felling with a requirement to plant 303 new trees. For the GMCH Super Speciality C-Wing, permission was given to remove 67 non-heritage and 7 heritage trees, with 2,035 new trees to be planted. IGGMCH nursing college and hostel project received clearance to cut 103 non-heritage and 26 heritage trees, and transplant two heritage trees, with a plantation requirement of 1,628 trees.One heritage tree at the DPDC e-library was allowed transplantation following concerns raised by a structural expert. NMC stated it will act on expert advice and ensure 188 trees are planted in compensation. On the collectorate premises, 21 heritage and non-heritage trees each are proposed to be felled, while one non-heritage tree will be transplanted, against a compensatory requirement of 1,735 trees.A major pending application by deputy director of sports seeks to cut 307 non-heritage and 58 heritage trees at the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur. The affidavit notes this proposal is under review.“Permissions were granted to fell trees in three cases with a condition of planting 3,966 trees. IGGMCH and GMCH have already issued tenders for engaging plantation agencies,” the NMC submitted. The affidavit includes tree authority resolutions, structural consultant reports, and tender documents.The PIL remains under consideration as petitioners seek stricter safeguards before sanctioning large-scale tree clearances for urban projects.BOXHC demands survival audit of compensatory trees in 10 yearsThe Nagpur bench of Bombay high court instructed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to perform an audit examining the survival rate of compensatory trees planted during the previous decade and present findings on their current status.Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi issued this directive whilst reviewing a PIL submitted by activist Preeti Patel and three others. The petitioners contend that the civic authority sanctioned the removal of 1,374 trees for developmental initiatives while disregarding essential Tree Act stipulations.“Tree plantations are routinely promised as compensation after large-scale felling, but how many of these survive is never made public. This defeats the very purpose of compensatory afforestation,” the petition filed through counsel Mrinall Chakravorty stated. The document also noted the lack of a comprehensive tree census since 2011, absence of proper compensatory planting strategies, and unavailability of a public development master plan.Following NMC’s presentation of tree removal and replacement details by counsel Jemini Kasat, the court mandated the civic body to submit an audit-based status report before the next hearing on June 13. The judiciary emphasised its support for progress whilst stating, “If trees must be cut for genuine public work, that may be done. But authorities must also take responsibility to ensure the survival of compensatory plantations.As per law, such trees must be kept alive for at least seven years.”Earlier hearing on April 29 saw the HC temporarily halting the planned removal of 1,374 trees across various city locations, questioning the practice of compensatory planting in forested regions like Gorewada to replace urban trees. The affected sites included the Mankapur sports complex, the collectorate, and the divisional commissioner’s complex.
