In a worrying trend across several localities in the city, residents and decorators are putting up decorative lights on trees by hammering nails into their trunks a practice that not only harms trees but is also prohibited under the Forest Act of 1975.
Areas such as Manewada, Ayodhya Nagar, Manewada Road, Ring Road, Uday Nagar Road, Ashirwad Nagar Road, and Bidipeth have witnessed an increasing number of trees being misused as stands for light installations. The practice continues despite no official permission from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) garden department, raising serious concerns over enforcement and public awareness.
Environmental activist Nishant Deshmukh has brought the matter to light and is demanding immediate and strict action. “Nailing lights into trees damages their structure and exposes them to infections. It also disturbs the natural habitat of birds and insects living in them,” Deshmukh said.
He added that while festivals and celebrations are important, they should not come at the cost of environmental degradation. “There are alternatives available, but people must be made aware and held accountable,” he said.
Under the Forest Act, damaging trees in this manner can invite legal action. Activists and concerned citizens are urging the NMC to conduct checks in affected areas and penalize violators to discourage such acts.
As urban development and beautification efforts grow, environmentalists stress the importance of integrating ecological sensitivity into city planning and event management.
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