‘1,800 trees will not be chopped for Nashik Kumbh Mela, we will undertake their transplantation,’ says Kumbh Mela commissioner

Even as nature lovers, citizens, actors and environmental groups have launched protests against the proposed felling of 1,700-1,800 trees to set up facilities for sadhus for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik, Kumbh Mela Commissioner Shekhar Singh Sunday denied that there was any plan to hack down a large number of trees.

“No, we will not axe 1,800 trees as is being speculated. The number of trees to be felled is far less. Less than half the number… Unnecessary rumours are being spread. The final figure of trees to be axed has not been decided. But I can say that the number of such trees is much, much lower,” Singh told The Indian Express .

It has been learnt that the Kumbh Mela administration is planning to set up a 1,200-acre Sadhu Gram colony for saints from the Vaishnava sect in