Nagpur: The Nagpur branch of the Bombay High Court has issued a temporary injunction to halt the chopping of 181 trees in the AjniVan. This action follows a citizen’s petition filed in court after the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) authorized tree cutting on March 1. Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri presided over the hearing and have summoned Stone Infra Build Globe Civil Project Company and the Railway Land Development Authority to respond by April 3.
In addition to the temporary halt, the Court has prohibited the cutting of the said 181 trees. During the proceedings, the Court raised concerns about the measures taken by the contractor to preserve and protect the trees, especially after approximately 500 trees were previously felled in Ajni Van. The Swachh Association filed the petition as the NMC allowed the cutting of 181 more trees despite the court’s earlier order.
The defendants argue that the trees were legally cut down with the approval of relevant departments. However, the Swachh Association contends that this action is unlawful and has accused the contractor. Imambada Police have filed a case against the contractor regarding the felling of the initial 500 trees.
Previously, the Swachh Association intervened in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the renaming of the Ajni Inter Model Station project and unauthorized tree felling. The project spans 446 acres of land. The Swachh Association initiated the PIL last year due to extensive tree cutting. They claim that the Railway Land Development Authority also renamed the project without proper authorization.
Advocate Parvez Mirza represented the petitioner, while Advocate Nandesh Deshpande appeared for the Union Government, and Advocate Gemini Kasat represented the NMC.
