Proposed 3,000-MW hydropower project in Raigad district faces opposition over the felling of 32,490 trees, while Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis defends it as essential for clean energy.
The proposed hydropower project at Karjat in Maharashtra’s Raigad district is mired in controversy, with concerns being raised over the ‘rampant’ felling of hundreds of trees and environmental damage. Opposition leaders, including Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT), have criticised the tree-felling clearance, alleging that rich forest cover is being sacrificed to favour a Gujarat-based company despite concerns over local displacement and wildlife.
However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has defended the project, saying it complies with environmental conditions and is necessary to meet Maharashtra’s soaring peak-hour power demand and facilitate the integration of renewable energy.
The Saidongar-1 Pumped Storage Project, adjacent to the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, is a proposed 3,000-MW hydroelectric power plant being developed by Gujarat-based Torrent Power Ltd. The project is expected to contribute to grid reliability and energy security in the state and other regions. It envisages an investment of Rs 13,505 crore.
However, local villagers, environmental activists and opposition parties have protested against the project, pointing to the felling of 32,490 trees across forest land. On October 10, the Forest Department issued orders for the clearance of thousands of trees across 370 hectares of land, which includes forest land. The hydropower project is being planned along the Pej river and involves the construction of two reservoirs.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has raised strong objections to the indiscriminate felling of trees for the project. In a post on X, he wrote, “In Karjat taluka, the indiscriminate felling of thousands of trees for the hydroelectric project of Gujarat’s ‘Torrent Power’ company is blatantly underway. Wiping out the rich natural bounty in the ‘Saydongar’ area and trampling the opposition of locals and environmentalists underfoot, under whose blessings is this slaughter proceeding?”
“Despite opposition from local residents, the Maharashtra government is sidelining the state’s interests to benefit a company from Gujarat,” he alleged.
“Even as locals and the entire Maharashtra fiercely oppose this rampant tree-felling, under whose pressure exactly did the Forest Department grant permission for it? When will this agenda of ravaging Maharashtra’s nature to fill the pockets of private companies come to a halt?” he said.
“Why is Maharashtra’s environment being sacrificed in the mad rush for the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled in November? While filling the pockets of their ‘builder friends’ and benefactors, does this regime not realise that Maharashtra is suffering a loss? On the one hand, 265 talukas are facing drought, yet the BJP regime has set out to turn Maharashtra into a desert by clearing its forests,” he added.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also said the power plant was likely to adversely affect the wildlife sanctuary in the area.
“In the Sayadongar forest area — nestled in the lap of the Sahyadri mountains within Karjat taluka and adjacent to the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary — a devastating destruction of nature is currently underway in the name of ‘development’,” he said.
“For a pumped-storage hydroelectric project, the wholesale slaughter of over 32,000 trees across 233 hectares of dense forest has begun. While the figure on paper stands at 32,000, it could easily climb to 100,000; yet, tragically, no one seems to hear the desperate, agonising cries of the countless birds whose lives are being torn apart. With the cold-blooded ruthlessness of a butcher, nests, eggs and helpless, unfledged chicks are being destroyed. Will those who dwell in our ‘concrete jungles’ ever hear the anguished screams of these forest birds?” Pawar asked.
However, describing the opposition’s criticism as a ‘fake narrative’, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the project, saying it complies with environmental conditions and is necessary to meet Maharashtra’s soaring peak-hour power demand and facilitate the integration of renewable energy.
“We are introducing an environment-friendly project that will generate 3,000 megawatts of electricity. Reservoirs will be created at the project site, and in exchange, the company has provided the Forest Department with land three times the size of the area used. The Forest Department will plant 90,000 trees. If we do not secure this clean power, we will be forced to rely on coal-based electricity; to offset the pollution that would result from that, we would need to plant 280 million (28 crore) trees,” Fadnavis said.
“The entire investment is in Maharashtra, and Maharashtra has the primary right to the energy produced. The project is located 16 km from the Bhimashankar forest and 20 km from the temple. This project will provide clean energy to Maharashtra. Creating a false narrative is an act against the interests of Maharashtra. No livelihoods will be destroyed; however, if such a concern arises, it will certainly be taken into account,” he added.
