Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has issued an interim “indirect” restraint on any activity that may harm trees at Garware Stadium until further orders. The direction was passed on May 7, 2026 by Justice Nitin Suryawanshi and Justice Vaishali Patil-Jadhav. The next hearing is scheduled for June 8, 2026.
The order comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation challenging the proposed cutting of around 75 fully grown trees in the Garware Stadium area for the construction of an “International Stadium” and South Pavilion. The petition has been filed by Shirish Kulkarni and others on behalf of the Garware Green Belt Protection Committee.
According to the petition, the trees are aged between 30 and 40 years. It alleges that although an advertisement was issued on February 5 inviting objections, no public hearing was conducted. It also claims that no environmental impact assessment was carried out and no alternative options were considered before planning the tree removal. The petition further states that over 100 citizens have already raised objections against the proposed tree cutting. It also questions the claim of developing an “international stadium,” terming it unsubstantiated and in violation of environmental norms.
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Fight to Save the “Green Lungs”
The petitioners have described the Garware Stadium area as the city’s “green lungs,” emphasizing that the trees play a crucial role in oxygen supply, shade, and pollution control. They have warned that removal of these trees could have serious environmental and health consequences for residents of the city. The case is being represented by assistant government pleader M.K. Goyanka for the state, advocate S.S. Deve for the Central Government, advocate S.S. Tope for the Municipal Corporation, and Advocate S.S. Dande for MIDC.