Save Heritage Trees: Publicly Disclose the Mitmita Transplantation Plan

Mitmita Project: New Tree Plantation Mentioned, but No Mention of Heritage Tree Transplantation; Need for Transparency in Decision-Making

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 3 August 2026

Information has been published today regarding an application made to the Central Zoo Authority for shifting the zoo at Siddharth Garden to Mitmita. Against this backdrop, attention is once again being drawn to the proceedings pending before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench, Pune, concerning the proposed felling of trees along the Padegaon–Daulatabad Road and the proposed transplantation of heritage trees to the Mitmita Safari Park.

During the hearing on 10 June 2026, the NGT took note of the Public Notice submitted by the applicant and also acknowledged the vagueness in the said notice. The Tribunal directed that the Public Notice be submitted along with a corrective affidavit.

In the same matter, two separate appeals have been filed before the NGT, Pune, challenging the proposed tree felling, transplantation of heritage trees and the vague Public Notice. The appeals are presently pending for hearing.

The following serious issues were brought before the Tribunal:

The proposal to transplant heritage trees, reportedly more than 50 years old, from the Padegaon–Daulatabad Road to the Mitmita Safari Park, and the basis and appropriateness of creating provisions for such transplantation. The absence of any reference to such a heritage-tree transplantation proposal in the Central Zoo Authority's report concerning the Siddharth Garden zoo or elsewhere. Failure to scientifically determine and publicly disclose the age of the trees.
Failure to properly number the trees before the decision, and the question of whether new provisions or proposals can be introduced during or after the decision-making process without prior public disclosure.
Failure by the PWD to make alternative plans public despite changes to the original project alignment. Failure to seriously consider in-situ conservation of the heritage trees. The requirement under environmental norms that transplanted trees survive for seven years, while the actual success rate of such large-scale transplantation projects is reportedly very low. Absence of clear, consistent and officially disclosed information regarding the exact number of trees proposed to be felled.

According to today's report, the process of shifting the zoo to Mitmita is underway and is expected to be completed by December–January. The report also states that approximately 8,000 new trees are planned to be planted, of which around 7,500 have already been planted. It further states that approximately 150 trees aged 10–12 years will be purchased and planted.

However, the report makes no mention of the transplantation of the heritage trees from the Padegaon–Daulatabad Road to Mitmita, nor does it state that the Central Zoo Authority has approved such transplantation. The report also does not clarify whether the newly planted trees and the proposed transplantation of heritage trees are connected in any manner.

Therefore, serious uncertainty continues to remain regarding the necessary permissions, scientific plan, designated site, role of the Central Zoo Authority and legal process for the proposed transplantation of heritage trees.

Protection of the environment, biodiversity and heritage trees is not merely a matter of development but a public responsibility towards future generations. All relevant legal, scientific and environmental aspects must therefore be transparently disclosed and thoroughly examined before any final decision or irreversible action is undertaken.