Maharashtra CM Defends Tree Felling for 3,000MW Project
Devendra Fadnavis asserts legal procedures were followed for the controversial tree removal in Karjat amid rising opposition.
32,490 trees are slated for removal for a hydroelectric project in Karjat.
CM Fadnavis claims the project will provide clean energy and has undergone 18 months of legal scrutiny.
Opposition parties express concerns over environmental impacts and potential ecosystem destruction.
In a recent statement, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the contentious plan to remove 32,490 trees in Karjat, Raigad district, to facilitate a 3,000MW hydroelectric power project by Torrent Power. This announcement comes in the wake of significant backlash from opposition parties and environmental activists who have raised alarms about the environmental implications of such a large-scale deforestation initiative.
Fadnavis defended the project, emphasizing that it has been in the pipeline for 18 months, during which all necessary legal approvals were secured. He stated that the project site is located 16 kilometers away from the Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary, countering claims that it would adversely affect the sanctuary's ecosystem. The Chief Minister asserted that the project is designed to be environmentally friendly and will contribute to Maharashtra's energy needs without compromising local livelihoods.
Torrent Power echoed Fadnavis's sentiments, asserting that the project has received all requisite environmental and forest clearances. The company highlighted that the land requirement for this project is significantly lower than that of traditional hydropower projects, with a compensatory afforestation plan in place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for this project on November 3, further intensifying the political stakes surrounding it.
Opposition leaders have ramped up their criticism, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray accusing the government of endangering Maharashtra's ecological balance. He claimed that the tree removal could lead to the loss of up to 500,000 trees, far exceeding the official figures. Thackeray plans to visit Karjat to engage with local residents about their concerns. Other political figures, including Raj Thackeray of MNS and Rohit Pawar from NCP, have also voiced their opposition, warning of dire consequences for the local ecosystem.
Environmentalists have expressed alarm over the rapid deforestation in Maharashtra, with D Stalin from NGO Vanashakti calling for urgent action. The NatConnect Foundation has urged PM Modi to reconsider attending the foundation stone-laying ceremony, citing the environmental ramifications of the project. Meanwhile, the Adani Group has denied any involvement with the project, dismissing circulating videos as misleading. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on balancing developmental needs with environmental sustainability in Maharashtra.
