Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane on Thursday wondered why environmentalists opposing the felling of trees in Nashik ahead of Kumbh Mela were never seen opposing the slaughter of goats on Eid.

Rane`s remarks came amid protests by civil society members against the Nashik civic body`s plan to cut down more than 1,700 trees in the Tapovan area to build a `Sadhu Gram` (settlement for religious leaders) ahead of the Kumbh Mela, which will begin in October 2026.