Archive · 29 Nov 2025
Actor Sayaji Shinde Joins Protest Against Tree Felling for Kumbh Mela
In Nashik, people are protesting because the government wants to cut down 1,700 trees to make space for a big religious event called Kumbh Mela.
Famous actor Sayaji Shinde and other activists are leading the protest.
They say cutting these old trees will hurt the environment.
The government says they will only cut young trees and plant new ones, but the protesters want to save all the old trees.
They are using social media and even hugging trees to show they care.
The government is still deciding how many trees to cut, but the protesters want them to find another way.
Actor Sayaji Shinde and environmental activists are protesting the felling of 1,700 trees in Nashik's Tapovan-Sadhugram area for the Kumbh Mela.
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) initially proposed cutting the trees but has since revised its plan, stating only young trees and shrubs will be removed.
Protesters have filed over 900 objections and are planning a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court.
The NMC claims the number of trees to be felled is much lower than initially reported and that old, heritage trees will be preserved.
Compensatory measures include planting ten new trees for every tree cut down and transplanting trees where possible.
- Who
- Actor Sayaji Shinde, social activist Varun Sukhraj, environmental organizations, Nashik residents, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC)
- What
- Protest against the felling of 1,700 trees in Tapovan-Sadhugram for the Kumbh Mela
- When
- Upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela (2026-28), protests ongoing
- Where
- Tapovan-Sadhugram area, Nashik
- Why
- To prevent environmental damage and preserve old trees
- Location
- Tapovan-Sadhugram area, Nashik
- Number of Trees Initially Proposed for Felling
- 1,700
- Number of Trees Actually to be Felled
- Less than half of 1,700
- Event
- Simhastha Kumbh Mela (2026-28)
- Protest Method
- Chipko Movement-style tree hugging, PIL, social media campaign
- Compensatory Measures
- Planting ten trees for every tree felled, transplanting trees where possible
- Legal Issue
- NMC may not have legal authority to decide on tree cutting
Sources
Nashik: Actor Sayaji Shinde Joins Protest Against Felling Of 1,700 Trees For Kumbh Mela
Nashik: Kumbh Mela Commissioner Shekhar Singh Inspects Ghats, Issues Directives For Devotee Safety
Nashik residents oppose 1,700-tree felling in Tapovan; authorities say figure exaggerated
Uddhav Thackeray slams BJP over advisory curbing use of ‘Vande Mataram’ in Rajya Sabha: ‘Must oppose hyprocrisy’
'Our MPs will chant 'Vande Mataram' loudly in Parl': Uddhav dares BJP
