"Suspend Me if You Must":

Woman Forest Officer Faces Off with Minister Girish Mahajan Over Nashik Tree-Felling Controversy

________________________

HT Correspondent 

________________________

@hindostantimes.com

NASHIK – A high-voltage confrontation between a woman forest officer and Maharashtra’s Minister for Kumbh Mela, Girish Mahajan, has taken social media by storm. The officer, hailed by locals as the "Tigress of the Forest Department," reportedly stood her ground against the mass felling of trees in Nashik’s Tapovan area, even in the face of political pressure.

The controversy erupted during a recent administrative meeting and public event organized to discuss the preparations for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela. Tensions flared when the discussion turned to the removal of nearly 1,800 trees in the ecologically sensitive Tapovan region to clear land for a ‘Sadhugram’ (a temporary settlement for visiting monks).

 During the Minister’s address, several attendees—including the woman officer—noted the absence of a tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. This perceived oversight led to an immediate outcry, with the officer asserting that administrative work must be guided by constitutional respect.

As pressure mounted to expedite the tree-cutting permits, the officer reportedly challenged the Minister directly. She stated that she would not violate environmental regulations or sanction the destruction of the city's green cover, famously remarking: "You can suspend me if you want, but I will not allow this."

The Tapovan area is considered the "green lung" of Nashik. The administration's plan to clear it has faced fierce resistance:

Girish Mahajan Claims only "younger saplings" will be transplanted, and 15,000 new trees will be brought from Andhra Pradesh to compensate. 

 Insists on strict adherence to the Forest Conservation Act and challenges the feasibility of mass by activists and celebrities like Sayaji Shinde, they have dubbed the Minister a "tree-cutter" and moved to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a serious view of the matter. In a recent hearing, the tribunal extended an interim stay on any further tree-feeling in the Tapovan area until February 20, 2026. The court has demanded a detailed report on the environmental impact before any development for the Kumbh Mela proceeds.

The officer's bold stance has resonated deeply with Nashik residents, who have been protesting for months under the banner of the "Save Tapovan" movement. While the state government attempts "damage control" by launching massive plantation drives, the viral video of the officer's defiance has turned the tree-felling issue into a major political headache for the ruling party ahead of local elections.