Navi Mumbai: The opposition and environmentalists have objected to the move to cut 32,490 trees in the Saidongar forest area of Karjat in Raigad district for a power project.
Torrent has proposed a 3,000 MW Saidongar-I hydroelectric project in Karjat taluka. Signed by Karjat division forest officer Sameer Shinde on Oct 14, 2026, permission was given to clear 32,490 trees in the forest areas, according to a formal document from the Maharashtra state forest department. The document also mentions that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Karjat on Nov 3 to lay the foundation stone of the project. NatConnect Foundation has requested Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to review the project’s environmental implications, saying it would involve the diversion of 233 hectares of forest land, which would impact the Saidongar area’s natural wealth and wildlife and have implications for local communities.
This causes less rainfall, and therefore drought conditions,” said Stalin.
“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,” Pawar said. Vishnu Joshi, an environmental activist from the region, said the proposed felling could have consequences far beyond the project site. The authorities must first conduct a cumulative impact assessment and listen to the people who will bear the consequences,” Joshi said. RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan said, “Clearing vast forest area which has existed at Karjat for many centuries will lead to bad climate effect, including smog and drought.
Maharashtra minister of state for power Meghna Bordikar hit back, stating the project received the go-ahead after “complying with all conditions laid down by the Union Environment and Forest Ministry. Rohit Pawar, too, raised serious concerns over the ecological consequences of the project. Environmentalist D Stalin of Vanshakti NGO alleged the local villagers at Saidongar and Pali had protested to ‘Save Karjat’, but their resistance failed. “Karjat’s lush green forest and wildlife will be fully destroyed at this rate. Govt gives away forest lands to private companies at a pittance, while the biodiversity is badly eliminated. “The Saidongar hills are part of a living ecological system that supports wildlife, birds, streams and local communities. Removing thousands of trees will destabilise slopes, destroy habitats and alter natural water flows. Govt must respect our natural green heritage, and legally punish the mafia destroying the environment.”