India, Oct. 21 -- A civic activist has moved the Bombay high court challenging the permission granted to fell 520 trees and relocate 2,693 others for the Thane Integral Ring Metro project, alleging that the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) gave the clearances without constituting the Tree Authority required under the law.

The public interest litigation (PIL), filed by social activist Rohit Joshi, challenges the civic body's June 17, 2026, resolution and the permission granted on August 24, 2026. It also seeks the constitution of a Tree Authority for Thane, arguing that tree-felling decisions cannot be made without the prescribed statutory process.

Under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, munic...