A major environmental dispute has emerged in Maharashtra after administrative communications authorized the felling of 32,490 trees in Raigad district to clear land for a massive 3,000 MW pumped storage hydroelectric facility.
According to documentation made public by Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut on October 27, 2026, the state forest machinery received directives to expedite land clearance for the ₹13,505-crore Saidongar-I Karjat Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project. The project site is situated roughly 16 kilometers from the ecologically fragile Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary and 20 kilometers from the revered Bhimashankar Temple.
Opposition leaders and environmental advocates have raised sharp objections over the ecological cost of the industrial footprint, as reported by The Hindu's national bureau, arguing that rapid deforestation in the Western Ghats periphery endangers local biodiversity and watersheds.
Forest Diversion and Operational Scope
The administrative order, issued by Karjat East Range Forest Officer Sameer Shinde, details a diversion of 233 hectares of land to accommodate the high-capacity energy storage installation. The project is being developed by Gujarat-based Torrent Power to reinforce regional energy security and grid reliability.
The 233-hectare parcel comprises three primary land classifications:
The communication specifies that tree felling must remain strictly restricted to the 32,490 trees enumerated under the formal diversion proposal. However, controversy intensified after the letter directed that tree removal in the project zone proceed immediately to prepare for a planned ground-breaking ceremony involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 3, 2026.
- 197 hectares of reserved forest
- 26 hectares of private forest
- 9 hectares of protected forest
Project Profile and Land Breakdown
| Parameter | Detail / Allocation |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Saidongar-I Karjat Pumped Storage Project |
| Lead Developer | Torrent Power |
| Total Capital Outlay | ₹13,505 crore |
| Generating Capacity | 3,000 MW |
| Total Land Diverted | 233 hectares |
| Reserved Forest Area | 197 hectares |
| Private Forest Area | 26 hectares |
| Protected Forest Area | 9 hectares |
| Total Approved Tree Felling | 32,490 trees |
| Sanctuary Proximity | 16 km (Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary) |
Balancing Grid Stability Against Ecological Costs
Pumped storage hydroelectric plants have become central to India’s clean energy transition. Unlike standalone solar and wind assets, which fluctuate based on sunlight and atmospheric conditions, pumped hydro functions as a large-scale mechanical battery. It stores excess power during off-peak windows by pumping water to an upper reservoir, releasing it through turbines during peak consumer demand to maintain grid frequency.
While state energy planners view the 3,000 MW Karjat installation as vital for Maharashtra's base-load equilibrium, conservationists warn that localized clearing in Raigad poses severe runoff and habitat fragmentation risks. Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership has challenged the Mahayuti coalition government, accusing the administration of sacrificing forested corridors to fast-track corporate energy infrastructure.
Neither the Chief Minister’s Office nor representatives for Torrent Power have issued subsequent public statements regarding potential revisions to the felling schedule as the November 3 timeline approaches.
