Nagpur: Hundreds of trees across Nagpur are slowly suffocating under layers of concrete, an inspection committee appointed by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has revealed. The findings were placed before the court during the hearing of a public interest litigation concerning environmental protection and unregulated urban development in the city.
The committee’s report highlights that at least 528 trees were found with their bases completely sealed by cement or asphalt during road construction and footpath development works. Environmental experts assisting the panel explained that such encasement blocks the flow of air and water to the roots, severely affecting the health and stability of the trees.
The issue, the committee noted, is not confined to a single area. Several prominent localities were found affected, indicating a city-wide pattern of neglect where infrastructure projects have repeatedly ignored established guidelines meant to safeguard urban greenery.
During the hearing, the High Court expressed concern over what it described as repeated lapses by civic authorities. The judges observed that environmental norms and urban green guidelines appear to have been sidelined in favour of rapid construction, despite earlier warnings and directives issued in similar cases.
Officials from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation were questioned on how such large-scale violations were allowed to take place. The court subsequently directed the civic body to cooperate fully with further inspections and prepare a concrete action plan to remove encasing material around affected trees and restore adequate soil cover wherever possible.
Environmental activists following the proceedings said the findings underline deeper flaws in city planning. They warned that continued neglect could permanently damage Nagpur’s already shrinking green cover, stressing that trees are critical to controlling heat, improving air quality, and maintaining ecological balance in an expanding urban landscape.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing, with the High Court seeking regular updates on corrective measures and accountability from agencies involved in road and development works across the city.