Nagpur: The Tree Authority Committee of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has approved the removal of several trees to facilitate the construction of a subway from the Institute of Science to Manas Square at Zero Mile. This approval includes the felling of four ancient trees and the transplantation of 67 others, following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court.
During a court hearing overseen by Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri, the NMC presented the minutes of the Tree Authority Committee’s meeting held on June 27. According to the NMC, Maha Metro, the agency responsible for the subway project, will compensate for the tree removal by planting 1,434 new trees. The decision to permit the cutting of 71 trees, including six heritage trees such as Akashneem, Gulmohar, Royal Palm, Peltrafarm, and Neem, was reached after a thorough process. Maha Metro initially applied to fell the trees in November 2023, followed by inspections and a public notification inviting objections. Despite objections from 28 citizens, the Tree Authority approved the proposal in June 2024.
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Wednesday01 Jan. 2025
The Tree Authority has mandated that each replacement tree must be at least 6 feet tall and maintained for seven years post-planting. The High Court has instructed the NMC to submit an affidavit within two weeks, documenting compliance with these conditions and detailing the tree transplantation and planting plan. Advocate Gemini Kasat represented the NMC, Advocate Girish Kunte represented the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), and Advocate Deepak Thakre represented the State.
