The protesters say the cutting of trees had left them ‘disturbed’
Navi Mumbai: Ahead of PM Narendra Modi ’s likely visit to Karjat on Tuesday to lay the foundation stone for a Rs 13,500-crore power project, citizens upped the ante with another protest. A group of youngsters has launched a ‘jal andolan’ in a forest near Saidongar in the district against the plan to axe over 32,000 trees for the project. The youths have been partially submersing themselves daily in a waterbody for the past five days and peacefully singing tribal songs seeking the conservation of ‘jal, jungle, jeevan’ (water, forests, biodiversity).
A separate ‘Karjat bandh’ on Monday has been announced.
Stalin alleged that documents released by the forest department show that over 48,000 trees will have to make way for the project, but the media has been told only about 32,490 trees. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news.
Bhagyashali Shinde, one of the protesters taking part in the jal andolan, said, “We were very disturbed after seeing trees being cut in the forest’s Saidongar and Pali areas for the project. One of them told reporters that they have been vocal in their objection to the power project from the start as they do not want the centuries-old forest to be damaged, but govt has refused to take no for an answer. This forest must not be destroyed,” he told TOI .
The tree felling plan was halted last week amid massive pushback from citizens and opposition parties. That is why we are coming here every day to protest. Local tribals have backed the protest. A tribal person expressed confidence that in light of the protests, the PM will likely defer his visit. Environmentalist D Stalin of NGO Vanashakti, who is also supporting the youths, alleged that public hearings for the project were held over 15km from tribal hamlets, making it difficult for many of those affected to register their objection in person. “Also, this is an ecologically sensitive zone. It’s part of the Sahyadri range, which has highly protected species like pangolins, giant squirrels, leopards, pythons and jackals. Download the TOI App.