Need advice on DV maintenance appeal in district court, nashik

JMC Nashik court has ordered me to pay maintenance. Against JMC order my file has filed appeal in district court to increase the maintainable which I will be contesting. Now my lawyer is saying we have to also file separate appeal in district court to reduce the maintained. My question - is it necessary to file separate appeal from my side to reduce the maintenance? Can I not fight my wife's appeal to reduce the maintained? Please advise.