KALYAN: The redevelopment of the Savlaram Maharaj Mhatre Sports Complex in Dombivli into a world-class sports facility has triggered concerns among environmental activists over the felling of 102 trees at the project site.The sports complex, located in the Dombivli MIDC area, is being redeveloped with modern facilities for athletes and various sporting activities.However, environmentalists have objected to the removal of trees during the ongoing construction work and questioned whether the existing green cover could have been preserved through changes in the project design.Activist Raju Nalavade alleged that several small and large trees had been cut within the premises and demanded an independent inquiry into the process.Nalavade said development of sports infrastructure is welcome but should not come at the cost of mature trees. He also questioned the civic administration’s tree plantation drive while trees within the sports complex were being removed.Vijay Dharmapurkar, deputy engineer, MIDC, however, said the tree felling had been carried out after following the prescribed procedure, including inviting objections and conducting a hearing.“There are a total of 157 trees within the Savlaram sports complex premises. Of these, 102 are being cut, 24 will be transplanted within the same plot, while 31 trees will remain unaffected,” Dharmapurkar said.He said the MIDC tree authority had granted permission for the tree felling after the objection and hearing process, with a condition for compensatory plantation.“The tree authority has permitted the felling on the condition that 1,414 trees will be planted on MIDC-reserved land. The plantation will be carried out as part of the compensatory measures for the trees being removed,” he said.The issue has also taken a political turn, with Shiv Sena (UBT) Kalyan Lok Sabha District president Abhijit Sawant and UBT leader Pramod Kamble submitting a letter to Manpada police station seeking action over the alleged large-scale tree felling at the sports complex.Environmental activists have demanded that the authorities ensure strict compliance with the permission conditions and monitor the compensatory plantation.They have also urged officials to ensure that the redeveloped facility is primarily used for sporting activities and that its surrounding green cover is protected.
