25 October,2026 08:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
The felling of 32,490 trees has begun in this biodiversity-rich region for the proposed Saidongar I Karjat pumped storage project. Pics/Special Arrangement
The axe has fallen on Karjat's green cover, with tree felling underway for a 3000 MW pumped storage hydro project that will see 32,490 trees cut. The move has triggered concerns among environmentalists over the impact on the region's rich biodiversity, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also slamming the government over the large-scale loss of trees.
NCP-Sharad Pawar faction leader and MLA Rohit Pawar also criticised the government over the cutting of the trees in Karjat for a dam project.
A letter by Range Forest Officer, Karjat East, on October 14 directed the immediate felling of 32,490 trees for the proposed Saidongar I Karjat Off-Stream Open Loop Pumped Storage Project. The project spans Pali, Kotal Khalati, Saidongar and Dhak villages in Karjat taluka. According to official documents, it requires the diversion of 233 hectares of forest land, comprising 197.0272 hectares of reserved forest, 26.066 hectares of private forest and 9.9068 hectares of protected forest.
Advocate Kailash More, associated with the Karjat Taluka Paryavaran Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, which has been opposing the project, said, "The felling of 32,490 trees has begun in this biodiversity-rich region for the proposed Saidongar I Karjat pumped storage project. At a time when Maharashtra is grappling with drought and the growing threat of climate change, destroying a vast stretch of forest will only deepen the ecological crisis. Countless birds, wild animals and reptiles stand to lose their habitats. Do the authorities have any regard for the devastating environmental consequences of this destruction?"
Environmentalists fear that the loss of tree cover could affect wildlife habitats, disrupt ecological balance and further fragment forest areas.
Officials from forest department told this newspaper that the project has received central and state-level clearances.
In a post on X, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray said, "In the Karjat taluka, the indiscriminate felling of thousands of trees for the hydroelectric project of Gujarat's âTorrent Power' company is blatantly underway. Wiping out the rich natural bounty in the âSaydongar' area and trampling the opposition of locals and environmentalists underfoot, under whose blessings is this slaughter proceeding?"
In his detailed X post, NCP(SP) leader Rohit Pawar said that this is not merely tree-felling; it is the end of an entire ecosystem, and humanity will have to bear its grave consequences in the future. "This dense forest is the rightful home to the barking deer - our state animal - along with many other animals. The valuable medicinal plants, rare insects, and the distinctive biodiversity that adorns this Sahyadri ridge are on the path to permanent destruction due to this senseless massacre. And as if that weren't enough, the powerful blasts for tunneling through the mountains for this project will weaken entire sections of the hills, posing a risk of a repeat of the Malin or Irshalwadi disasters. A naturally beautiful area like Karjat, will see its environmental equilibrium disrupted if its forest wealth is destroyed, and the very survival of the local Adivasi communities will become a serious issue."
Actress Richa Chadha posted a video of Mumbai AQI on X and said, "Dear citizens of Mumbai , What are you afraid of ? You got literal poop in drinking water, and poison in the air. Poison kills life, what's worse than death? Why does the richest civic body in the world @mybmc think they can GET AWAY by doing this to you?
There's like 3 CMs, what is the plan of action for air? You've always had terrible roads, now you have shit air and water too. Why do you pay so much tax to die via slow poisoning?
Mumbai contributes so much tax to the centre, what does it get in return? 7500 more trees are supposed to be cut. Why should a handful of environmentalists be constantly raising their voice for you? Are you cowards? Why have you outsourced all courage to the young?
Ask questions, raise your voice! You don't deserve this!"
