Protests Erupt Over 32,490 Trees at Risk in Karjat Project
Growing opposition in Maharashtra as environmentalists and locals challenge the Torrent Group's pumped-storage project threatening vast forest land.
The Maharashtra Forest Department approved the felling of 32,490 trees for a new energy project.
Local activists claim irreversible damage to the ecosystem and question the project's necessity.
Chief Minister Fadnavis defends the project, asserting it will provide clean energy and ecological balance.
In Maharashtra's Raigad district, significant unrest has emerged regarding a 3,000 MW pumped-storage project initiated by the Torrent Group in Karjat. This controversy intensified just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anticipated visit on November 3 to inaugurate the project. Social media has been flooded with images and videos depicting tree felling in Saidongar, prompting backlash from environmental activists, local residents, and opposition parties.
The Maharashtra Forest Department's recent approval for the removal of 32,490 trees has raised alarms among various stakeholders. This decision followed the Ministry of Environment's clearance granted earlier this year. Despite reports indicating a halt to tree felling, opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, have vowed to continue protests until the project is scrapped. Misattributions on social media incorrectly linked the project to the Adani Group, while it is actually being developed by Torrent PSH 3 Private Limited, a subsidiary of Torrent Power, which has a history of political donations.
The Saidongar-I Karjat Open Loop Pumped Storage Project is projected to cost approximately Rs 13,505.15 crore and spans 377 hectares, with a significant portion classified as forest land. The area is home to diverse wildlife, including leopards and various bird species. Activists argue that the ecological loss cannot be compensated merely by planting new trees elsewhere, emphasizing the critical role of the Sahyadri ranges in regulating the region's monsoon.
Local lawyer and activist Kailash More has expressed concerns about the irreversible damage to the ecosystem, highlighting that around 2,700 trees have already been cut down. He warns that if the project proceeds, the total number of trees felled could reach up to 300,000. Additionally, he raises issues about potential water shortages for local residents and the environmental impact of the project's infrastructure.
In response to the growing criticism, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has labeled the opposition as a misleading narrative, asserting that the project will generate clean energy and that 90,000 trees will be planted to offset the ecological impact. Torrent Group representatives maintain that all necessary permissions were secured before commencing work, emphasizing the project's role in enhancing energy security and reducing carbon emissions. As the situation develops, further responses from government officials and stakeholders are anticipated.
