In compliance with the directives of Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has officially commenced the third phase of its tree de-choking drive. Following a recent survey, the civic body has identified 3,691 trees, out of which, 3,360 trees come under NMC limit across its ten zones that are currently suffocated by concrete and cement at their bases. The Nagpur Bench has granted the corporation a 50-day window to execute the de-choking process and demonstrate significant progress. This follows a previous court notice in February, after which, NMC successfully cleared 406 trees out of 528 trees.

 

These were specifically flagged for urgent intervention. This environmental intervention stems from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by many environment activists who raised alarm over the slow death of the city’s green cover due to asphyxiation by concrete. The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, took a stern view of the administrative negligence that allowed cement and tar to be paved right up to the trunks of the trees. Phase-wise progress The NMC has been tackling the issue of choked trees in a systematic manner: First Phase: 3,326 trees were successfully de-choked. Second Phase: A comprehensive survey initiated in October 2025 led to the de-choking of 4,123 trees, a task completed in February 2026.

 

Third Phase (Current): The ongoing phase focuses on 3,360 trees. According to the Tree De-choking Report, Ashinagar Zone No 9 (614 trees) and Laxminagar Zone No 1 (820 trees) require the most significant intervention. Speaking on the initiative, Ganesh Rathod, Deputy Commissioner, Garden Department, emphasised the legal and ecological priority of the project. “As per the orders of the High Court, NMC is actively de-choking all identified trees within the stipulated time-frame. If choked trees are found on premises belonging to other agencies, the cost of de-choking will be recovered from the respective departments.” The department further clarified that, they have identified nearly 3,360 trees within NMC limits to ensure urban greenery is preserved from permanent damage caused by concrete encroachment.