Plan to cut 1,208 trees in Mira Bhayandar scrapped after public opposition
Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik has asked officials to find an alternative site for sewage treatment plant.
3 min read
Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation headquarters (File Photo)Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) in Maharashtra has scrapped its plan to cut 1,208 trees at Gyan Jyoti Savitribai Phule Udyan, a garden thronged by joggers, for a sewage treatment plant (STP) following strong opposition from residents and environmental activists. The decision came after Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, the MLA of the region, visited the park on Tuesday and directed the municipal officials to find an alternative site for the proposed STP.
Sarnaik emphasized the need to balance development with environmental protection. “Residents need civic amenities, but this cannot come at the cost of destroying green spaces. I have directed MBMC to find an alternative site for the STP, ensuring that the garden’s ecosystem remains intact,” he said.
The plan had sparked outrage among local people and daily visitors to the park, who argued that clearing the trees would have serious environmental consequences. Many residents staged protests criticising the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. They demanded that MBMC reconsider its proposal and prioritise ecological conservation.
Sarnaik visited the park along with environmental activists Dheeraj Parab, Pradeep Jangam, and Advocate Krishna Gupta after the residents formed a human chain to protest against the decision to cut the trees.
Acknowledging the concerns raised by residents, he instructed MBMC Additional Commissioner Sachin Bangar, City Engineer Deepak Khambit, and Assistant Commissioner Kanchan Gaikwad to halt the tree-cutting plan. He also spoke to MBMC Commissioner Sanjay Katkar over the phone to discuss the issue.
The minister’s intervention has brought significant relief to residents of around 30 nearby housing societies who had been actively protesting against the move. Local environmentalists welcomed the decision, urging MBMC to adopt eco-friendly solutions while planning development projects.
Advocate Krishna Gupta, one of the activists, said, “This victory belongs to the people. It is a reminder that citizen participation can make a difference in preserving our environment. We hope that future projects will be planned with greater public consultation.”
This development highlights the ongoing debate between urban infrastructure expansion and environmental sustainability. While MBMC is responsible for improving civic infrastructure, residents and activists have stressed the importance of protecting green spaces in a rapidly growing city like Mira Bhayandar.
With the tree-cutting plan now scrapped, MBMC will explore alternative locations for the STP, ensuring that both environmental concerns and civic needs are addressed.
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