Greens urge CM to develop meditation centre at Tapovan on lines of Hyderabad’s Shanti Van

Nashik: Environmentalists have appealed to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to set up a meditation centre at Tapovan on the lines of Hyderabad's Shanti Van, instead of proceeding with plans to cut more than 1,700 trees for constructing Sadhugram ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.They emphasised that any development at Tapovan should avoid permanent concrete structures to safeguard the area's dense greenery and spiritual essence. The activists have also urged state govt to declare Tapovan a deemed forest.The Nashik-based Namami Goda Foundation has written to the CM and NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri, calling for the conservation of the forested Tapovan stretch along the Godavari river. Members of the group recently met mayor Himgauri Aher and submitted a memorandum outlining their concerns and proposing an alternative plan.In its memorandum, the NGO suggested developing Tapovan as a low-impact spiritual and meditation zone inspired by Hyderabad's Shanti Van. The proposal includes basic facilities such as nature trails, walking paths, seating arrangements and designated areas for yoga and meditation, all without disturbing existing trees or natural vegetation. "There should be no concrete-heavy construction at Tapovan. The entire idea must focus on minimal intervention and living in harmony with nature," the memorandum stated, adding that the Tapovan forests served as a crucial ecological buffer for the Godavari and nearby residential localities.The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stayed tree-cutting activities at Tapovan till April 28 after petitions were filed challenging NMC's plan to fell trees for Sadhugram. Rajesh Pandit, president of the Namami Goda Foundation, said Tapovan was traditionally believed to be associated with Lord Ram's exile and revered as a site where sages once performed penance. "Instead of cutting trees, Tapovan should be protected and developed as a meditation centre. From a tourism perspective too, it can be promoted as a site linked to Lord Ram's stay during exile," Pandit said.TOI had first reported on Nov 15, 2025, that NMC planned to fell around 1,700 trees at Tapovan for the development of Sadhugram. Since then, the proposal has sparked widespread protests across Nashik.