Raj Thackeray urges Karjat youth to lead protest against project requiring 32,490 trees to be cut

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday appealed to residents of Karjat particularly youngsters to unite and lead the protest against a proposed 3000MW pumped storage project following the commencement of tree felling at the siteAddressing a gathering in Karjat after visiting the affected area earlier in the day the MNS chief said that he would support residents opposing projects that could damage the regionrsquos natural environment httpstcoZjmbk4l7Jzmdash Raj Thackeray RajThackeray October 28 2026Raj Thackeray said ldquoThe people and youngsters from Karjat should come together and lead the protest against the project and I will stand behind themrdquo32490 to be cut downThe proposed project is expected to require the felling of 32490 trees triggering opposition from local residents and political leaders concerned about its environmental impact and the possible displacement of villagersRecalling his visit to the site Thackeray said that the sight of the felled trees had left him distressedldquoI visited the area where trees have been cut and saw piles of dead trees I felt bad and felt like I had come for the funeral of the treesrdquo Thackeray addedHe also alleged that the project was being undertaken to benefit businessmen from GujaratRaj Thackeray slams CM Devendra Fadnavis over the proposed projectQuestioning the need for the project Thackeray said ldquoI donrsquot understand what is the need for this projectrdquo He also criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Deputy Chief Ministers for not taking a stand against itMNS chief warns workers of similar projects in their regionsDuring his address Thackeray also spoke to workers from Wada and Jawhar who had been brought to the area for treefelling work He cautioned them that similar development projects could threaten the environment and livelihoods in their own regions in the futureHe said ldquoTomorrow you might face a similar situation in Wada and JawharrdquoThackeray also read out a list of renewable energy projects proposed in the Sahyadri ranges and other parts of Maharashtra He alleged that of the 23 projects planned in the Sahyadris only three belonged to the Centre while the remaining 20 were associated with private entitiesReferring to 236 renewable energy projects he argued that the growing electricity requirements of upcoming data centres were driving the expansion of such projects He alleged that the government could cite the possibility of electricity shortages to justify the projects to people opposing themThackery urges youth to stand against deforestationIn view of saving the environment Raj Thackeray also appealed to youngsters over social media posts He urged the people to unite against projects they believe could harm the environment He also advised youngsters to exercise caution while sharing photographs and videos of natural areas on social mediaThackeray said the MNS Shiv Sena UBT and the Peasants and Workers Party PWP were jointly opposing the destruction of the regionrsquos natural environment He questioned the absence of other political parties from the protest and appealed to the police not to support activities that could lead to environmental damagePolitical opposition gathers momentumEarlier on Wednesday Thackeray visited the site where tree felling for the proposed 3000MW pumped storage project has begun During the visit he interacted with villagers who allegedly face displacement or the loss of their land because of the projectMNS leaders Bala Nandgaonkar Avinash Jadhav and Sandeep Deshpande among others accompanied himOn Monday Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray party MP Sanjay Raut and other party leaders had also visited the site and interacted with affected villagersThe project has become a point of political contention with opposition parties raising concerns about tree felling land acquisition and the potential environmental consequences of the proposed developmentRuling alliance leaders defend projectLeaders of the ruling alliance including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have accused those opposing the project of spreading a false narrative They have also shared details of the proposed projects expected benefits for Maharashtra and its residentsThe competing claims have intensified the debate over the balance between renewable energy infrastructure development requirements and environmental protection in the Sahyadri region