The Times of India        24.12.2014   

NMC gets 134 objections to tree felling

NASHIK: The civic body has received objections from 134 citizens towards felling of trees in the city limits for road widening work ahead of next year's Kumbh Mela.

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) had invited objections and suggestions from the citizens for cutting trees through a committee formed and headed by the chief conservator of forests (CCF) following a Bombay high court order.

As many as 2,400 trees are likely to face the axe because of road widening across the city. Based on a public interest litigation on illegal hacking of trees filed by environment activists, the court had asked the civic body to seek its permission to cut even a single tree in the city limits.

The NMC had sought permission to cut 2,400 trees for Kumbh-related works. The HC had asked the chief conservator of forests (territorial) Nashik Circle to chair a committee and conduct a survey of the trees, as the NMC did not have a proper tree committee.

On November 25, the court rejected the report prepared by the chief conservator of forests. It said two experts will have to be paid Rs 25,000 each by the NMC and all other expenses for the survey of the trees.

The court said all this have to be done by January 27 and cutting of trees in areas under the NMC's jurisdiction would be forbidden.

"The NMC had sought objections and suggestions from the citizens regarding hacking of trees through the media. The objections and suggestions were submitted to the chief conservator of forests. We have received 134 of those and the hearing will take place on December 27 and 28 at the civic body in the presence of the committee formed by the chief conservator of forests," an NMC official said.