Sanjay Raut Raises Alarm Over 32,490 Trees Set for Felling in Maharashtra

Sanjay Raut, a prominent leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), has raised concerns regarding an order from the Maharashtra forest department to fell over 32,000 trees near the ecologically sensitive Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. This decision comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit on November 3, for the inauguration of a hydropower project in the region.

The project, known as the Saidongar-I Karjat Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project, is backed by Torrent Power from Gujarat and is set to be developed in Raigad district. With an estimated cost of Rs 13,505 crore, the facility will boast a capacity of 3,000 MW, aimed at bolstering the electricity grid's reliability and enhancing energy security across Maharashtra and neighboring areas.

Raut shared a letter on social media that allegedly originates from a forest official, indicating that the project has received approval to divert 233 hectares of land. This includes the clearance of 197 hectares of reserved forest, 26 hectares of private forest, and 9 hectares of protected forest land within Karjat. The proposed site is located approximately 16 kilometers from the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary and 20 kilometers from the Bhimashankar Temple.

The Karjat East Range Forest Officer, Sameer Shinde, emphasized that the felling of 32,490 trees must be executed as per the approved land diversion proposal. The letter highlighted the urgency of tree removal in light of the Prime Minister's upcoming visit for the project's inauguration.

This move has sparked backlash from opposition parties and environmental activists, who accuse the ruling Mahayuti government of prioritizing development over ecological preservation. Raut specifically criticized Ujjwal Nikam, a BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha MP, for supporting the project, urging him to advocate for environmental protection instead of endorsing actions that threaten the region's green cover.