BJP Mumbai unit president Ameet Satam
Mumbai: BJP launched a counter-offensive against Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress , demanding that they show the two lakh trees planted in Beed district as compensatory afforestation for Middle Vaitarna Project.
Addressing a news conference at the BJP state headquarters on Friday, the party’s Mumbai unit president Ameet Satam said Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was in power in the BMC from 1997 to 2022. “At the time, 10,000 trees were estimated to be cut down by BMC to implement the Middle Vaitarna dam project. As compensation, BMC transferred 540 hectares in Beed district to the forest department for planting two lakh trees. He challenged Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Congress to go on an environmental tour to the 540 hectares spread over 13 villages in Beed district and show people the two lakh trees planted.
BMC also gave crores of rupees to the forest department for this purpose,” said Satam. Doing politics in the name of environment, misleading the public, stopping the development works started by the government and trying to spread chaos in the society,” said Satam. Satam said many people do not understand the true meaning of sustainable development.
However, one lakh trees were cut for the project. He further demanded that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis order an inquiry into the tree cutting for the dam project and initiate action. Many leaders, actors and social activists are visiting Karjat out of concern for the environment. In the last few days, we have seen many people going to this place for tourism and sightseeing. He alleged Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) were misleading the public and trying to spread anarchy in the country. For them, the environment has become a fashionable topic. “Talking about the environment, global warming and climate change has become a fashion. Many people talk a lot about the environment and when any environmental issue comes up, they act as if they are the only environmentalists in this country and Maharashtra,” he added.