Raj Thackeray opposes tree felling for Sadhu Gram ahead of Nashik Kumbh Mela

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) main Raj Thackeray connected Saturday (November 29, 2025) opposed the State government’s program to chopped trees successful Nashik’s Tapovan area for the operation of Sadhu Gram up of the 2026 Kumbh Mela, informing that his enactment volition basal with citizens if the authorities adopts a confrontational stance. 

The projected Sadhu Gram is planned implicit astir 1,000 to 1,200 acres in Nashik’s Tapovan area, and astir 1,800 trees person been marked for removal, according to municipal notices. Environmental groups and residents assertion immoderate of these trees are implicit a period old. A announcement issued by the Nashik Municipal Corporation inviting objections drew hundreds of responses, and a caller proceeding saw strong protests against the plan.

On November 24, the Nashik Municipal Corporation clarified that aged and past trees will not be cut, and lone younger trees and shrubs will be removed. 

Taking to X, Mr. Thackeray said that the authorities has decided to chopped 1,800 trees for the upcoming Kumbh Mela but this is not the archetypal clip that a Kumbh Mela is being held successful Nashik. A Kumbh Mela was besides held during the tenure of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena-led Municipal Corporation too.

“At that time, we built a batch of infrastructure. There was good communication between the corporators and the medication astatine that time, truthful what the radical wanted was considered portion doing the work,” helium said. 

He alleged that the authorities should not instrumentality the accidental to unit something “down the throats of industrialists” in the sanction of sadhus. He besides alleged that a fewer years ago, the BJP authorities had announced to works a fewer crore trees, but they ne'er did.  

“The BJP is either swallowing up the land oregon acting arsenic brokers for industrialists. Nashik residents are strongly opposing to this. I have an appeal to the residents to basal firm. I assure that the MNS stands by them. There is truly nary authorities successful this, adjacent aft the election, we will proceed to oppose this,” helium said.  

Appealing to the ruling party, helium asked, “not to unnecessarily escalate the conflict”.  

Actor and activist Sayaji Shinde besides opposed the plan, saying, “Trees are our parents. Not a azygous histrion should beryllium chopped for Sadhu Gram.”  

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal alleged that the government’s interest for sadhus was lone a facade.

“Sadhus traditionally lived amidst nature, successful hills, forests and mountains. Destroying thousands of trees successful the sanction of their convenience makes nary sense. The existent motive is to wide onshore and siphon disconnected funds. Tree cutting is conscionable an excuse,” Mr. Sapkal said.