Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. File
| Photo Credit: ANI
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday (November 29, 2025) opposed the State government’s plan to cut trees in Nashik’s Tapovan area for the construction of Sadhu Gram ahead of the 2026 Kumbh Mela, warning that his party will stand with citizens if the government adopts a confrontational stance.
The proposed Sadhu Gram is planned over roughly 1,000 to 1,200 acres in Nashik’s Tapovan area, and about 1,800 trees have been marked for removal, according to municipal notices. Environmental groups and residents claim some of these trees are over a century old. A notice issued by the Nashik Municipal Corporation inviting objections drew hundreds of responses, and a recent hearing saw strong protests against the plan.
On November 24, the Nashik Municipal Corporation clarified that old and ancient trees will not be cut, and only younger trees and shrubs will be removed.
Taking to X, Mr. Thackeray said that the government has decided to cut 1,800 trees for the upcoming Kumbh Mela but this is not the first time that a Kumbh Mela is being held in Nashik. A Kumbh Mela was also held during the tenure of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena-led Municipal Corporation too.
“At that time, we built a lot of infrastructure. There was good communication between the corporators and the administration at that time, so what the people wanted was considered while doing the work,” he said.
He alleged that the government should not take the opportunity to force something “down the throats of industrialists” in the name of sadhus. He also alleged that a few years ago, the BJP government had announced to plant a few crore trees, but they never did.
“The BJP is either swallowing up the land or acting as brokers for industrialists. Nashik residents are strongly opposing to this. I have an appeal to the residents to stand firm. I assure that the MNS stands by them. There is really no politics in this, even after the election, we will continue to oppose this,” he said.
Appealing to the ruling party, he asked, “not to unnecessarily escalate the conflict”.
Actor and activist Sayaji Shinde also opposed the plan, saying, “Trees are our parents. Not a single tree should be cut for Sadhu Gram.”
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal alleged that the government’s concern for sadhus was only a facade.
“Sadhus traditionally lived amidst nature, in hills, forests and mountains. Destroying thousands of trees in the name of their convenience makes no sense. The real motive is to clear land and siphon off funds. Tree cutting is just an excuse,” Mr. Sapkal said.
Published – November 30, 2025 07:15 am IST
