States » WestPosted at: Sep 29 2026 10:33PM


Sayaji Shinde questions need for permissions to plant trees, alleges forest department of hindering Devarai Project

Mumbai, Sep 29 ( UNI) Why is permission required to plant trees in Maharashtra? Why should there be legal restrictions on afforestation, and why does the Forest Department fail to notice encroachments on forest land? Renowned actor and head of the Sahyadri Devarai Foundation, Sayaji Shinde, has raised these questions while expressing his displeasure over what he described as unnecessary hurdles being created by forest officials.
Shinde, who has been actively involved in promoting forest conservation and plantation through the Sahyadri Devarai Foundation across western Maharashtra and other parts of the state, has now expanded the initiative to eastern Vidarbha. Several gram panchayats in Nagpur district have approached the foundation, expressing their willingness to work together and proposing the creation of Devarai (sacred forest) areas on land near their villages.
However, Shinde has alleged that Forest Department officials are creating obstacles by insisting excessively on legal and procedural requirements. He questioned why permissions and restrictions should come in the way of efforts to create green cover, particularly when the proposed initiative is aimed at planting and conserving trees.
A few days ago, Shinde had met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought the Forest Department's cooperation for establishing Devarai areas across Maharashtra. Following the meeting, the Chief Minister issued a letter directing district collectors across the state to extend cooperation to the Sahyadri Devarai Foundation as per the applicable rules, said actor sinde.
Despite this, Shinde has alleged that forest officials are obstructing plantation proposals by citing regulations, while failing to take adequate action against alleged encroachments on forest land.
UNI SP MCR
Tags: #Sayaji Shinde questions need for permissions to plant trees# alleges forest department of hindering Devarai Project
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