Congress slams tree felling for Maharashtra hydropower project in Western Ghats
General Secretary Jairam Ramesh called the reported removal of trees an example of ecological devastation being inflicted on the country.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday criticised the reported felling of nearly 1,100 trees for a hydropower project in Maharashtra's Western Ghats. According to The Hindu, Ramesh described the situation as another example of ecological devastation being inflicted on the people of the country.
The project is a pumped-storage hydropower venture by Torrent Power located in Karjat, near the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. Ramesh shared a media report on X claiming that while 1,100 trees have been felled, over 32,000 trees are marked for removal.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut previously alleged that the Maharashtra Forest Department was ordered to fell more than 32,000 trees ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit next month. The visit is for the ground-breaking ceremony of the project.
Raut shared a letter stating that approval was granted to divert 233 hectares of land for the ₹13,505-crore Saidongar-I Karjat Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in Raigad district. The project has raised concerns regarding forest rights, tribal livelihoods, and ecological impact.
Opposition leaders and green activists have accused the Mahayuti Government of destroying forests and wildlife. Ramesh questioned who would enjoy the gains of the project and who would bear the pain.
