NHD's plan to cut 236 trees along Pune-Nashik axed

Mumbai:  After being provided proof of the lack of proper qualifications and illegality of the member of the tree authority of the Nashik municipal corporation, the Bombay high court ordered the formation of a new authority after dissolving the existing one and also stayed the recommendations of the old authority. The court also restrained the National Highway Division (NHD) from cutting 236 trees for widening of the highway on the Pune Nashik route. The Court further directed NEERI to conduct a survey of the trees that the highway authorities wanted to cut and submit its report within two months.

A division bench of justices A.S. Oka and Riyaz Chagla was hearing a civil application filed by the NHD in a public interest litigation filed by the Nashik Nagrik Kruti Samiti. The Samiti had prayed for restraining the NHD from cutting trees on a 2.3 km stretch, however the NHD’s application sought relief from the stay as there was an urgency to widen the stretch as it was resulting in traffic snarls and accidents. 

On Tuesday, when NHD’s application came up for hearing, they submitted that the tree authority had given them permission to cut the trees. However, the Samiti placed documents to prove the illegality of the members of the authority. 

After being satisfied with the evidence placed by the samiti the bench ordered its dissolution. The bench also directed the applicants seeking for permission to cut 36 trees for a drama theatre in Deolali to approach the new tree authority. The court also directed NEERI to survey the trees and suggest solutions for replanting the same if the NHD was to be permitted to cut them for widening of the highway.