Nagpur: A group of citizens held a meeting with Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari on Thursday at Nagpur Municipal Corporation Head Office in Civil Lines to voice their opposition to the ongoing and planned felling of trees for construction of proposed parking lot and foot over bridge (FOB) at Ajni Railway Station.
The group of citizens filed more than 80 objections, representing a broad cross-section of the community. The citizens urged the Commissioner to reconsider the project’s environmental impact and explore alternative solutions that will help save heritage trees at one of Nagpur’s last remaining urban forests.
The citizens brought up various points of discussion including the environmental clearance for the buildings planned, the number of trees impacted and the need to find alternate solutions to minimise tree loss. The group also proposed public representation in the city’s tree committee, something that’s currently missing. They also emphasised the importance of the Garden Department responding to ongoing illegal tree felling across the city and being approachable to the common public.
Dr Chaudhari expressed a commitment to reviewing the concerns raised and promised to visit the Ajni site with experts allocated to the project. The meeting concluded with a pledge from both sides to continue dialogue and work collaboratively towards a solution that aligns with the city’s sustainability goals while accommodating necessary development.
Dr Chaudhari took cognisance of excessive tree trimming and felling activities by Ganesh mandal pandals during the festival and promised a public advisory will be issued soon. He accepted the citizens’ proposal of circulating public awareness material against illegal tree felling and appointment of Vruksh Mitras in every zone.
