NMC Delays Tree Felling for IGGMCH Expansion Pending EC

The Tree Authority of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to postpone any tree felling activities related to the expansion of the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) until the necessary Environmental Clearance (EC) is obtained. This decision was made during a meeting on Thursday, where committee members expressed concerns regarding the absence of the EC for the proposed projects, which include the construction of a 500-bed porch building and an auditorium.

During the meeting, chaired by municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, the committee reviewed IGGMCH's proposals that involved the felling of four trees, including two heritage trees—a peepal and a neem. Initially, Itankar suggested transplanting the heritage trees while allowing the felling of two non-heritage trees. However, committee member Kaustav Chatterjee highlighted that the hospital lacked the required EC, prompting Itankar to retract his initial proposal. Consequently, the committee mandated that all tree felling must be contingent upon IGGMCH securing the EC certificate.

The second proposal concerning the auditorium, which also involves the felling of a heritage bakul tree, is similarly affected by this ruling. The NMC's Town Planning Department has already placed a hold on the building plan approvals for both projects due to the absence of the EC. The first proposal received six objections, while two objections were raised against the auditorium project, all of which were discussed in a prior meeting on October 1.

The implications of this decision are significant, as it means that no trees can be removed until the hospital fulfills the EC requirement. Additionally, the committee reviewed a separate proposal from the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where officials reported that 374 compensatory trees had been planted at Gorewada to offset the felling of eight trees, including two heritage trees. However, Chatterjee raised objections based on a recent Bombay High Court ruling emphasizing the necessity for compensatory planting in the same area where trees are cut down. He noted that GMCH had previously failed to carry out compensatory planting despite having received permissions.

In response, Itankar instructed GMCH officials to ensure compensatory planting occurs within the hospital grounds. Initially, officials claimed there was insufficient space for planting; however, Itankar identified potential locations within the premises for this purpose. This ongoing situation highlights the importance of adhering to environmental regulations in urban development projects.