Karjat bandh protests felling of 32,490 trees for proposed 3,000-MW pumped storage project

Pic/Special Arrangement

Residents of Karjat observed a bandh on Monday to protest against the felling of trees for the proposed 3,000-MW pumped storage project in the region. The project is expected to require the felling of 32,490 trees, triggering opposition from local residents and environmental groups.

Why is the project controversial?

The proposed Saidongar I Karjat Off-Stream Open Loop Pumped Storage Project is spread across four villages - Pali, Kotal Khalati, Saidongar and Dhak - in Karjat taluka.

According to official documents, the project requires the diversion of 233 hectares of forest land. This includes 197.0272 hectares of reserved forest, 26.066 hectares of private forest and 9.9068 hectares of protected forest.