Correspondent, 25 October: Local residents are scheduled to meet Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray today, October 25, to seek intervention against the feared felling of 300,000 trees in the Karjat-Bhimashankar forest. The massive deforestation is linked to a proposed hydroelectric energy storage project by Gujarat-based Torrent Power. The cutting of thousands of trees has already commenced, sparking a wave of intense anger among citizens and prompting allegations that the Mahayuti government is showing undue favoritism toward the company.
The hydroelectric facility is planned for the ‘Sai Dongar’ area in Karjat taluka, carrying an estimated cost of Rs 13,500 crore and a capacity of 3,000 MW. Environmentalists have warned that the large-scale deforestation required for the project will destroy the natural habitats of birds and wildlife. They also predict severe impacts on traditional agriculture, tourism, natural water flows, and soil conservation along the hill slopes. Meanwhile, residents allege that the project is being aggressively pushed forward while entirely ignoring landowners’ concerns and demands for environmental protection.
MLA Aaditya Thackeray has leveled heavy criticism at the state government regarding the issue. In a post dated October 24, 2026, he directly questioned under whose pressure the forest department granted permission for the tree felling despite opposition from locals and the entire state of Maharashtra. Thackeray asked why the state’s environment is being sacrificed in a rush to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in November, further questioning when the agenda of exploiting nature to fill the pockets of private companies will finally stop.
Highlighting that 265 talukas in the state are currently facing drought conditions, Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the BJP regime, accusing it of attempting to turn Maharashtra into a desert by clearing forests. He took a dig at the administration by asking why similar promptness is not demonstrated for public utility initiatives like the Gorai Mangrove Park and the Hinjewadi Metro. He concluded by questioning whether the government is blind to the damage inflicted upon the state while it works to enrich its owners and builder friends.
