Mumbai: Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Sunday said he was examining ways to preserve more trees and increase compensatory plantation at a proposed hydropower project in Raigad district, amid growing protests over the planned felling of more than 32,000 trees.
Speaking to reporters, Naik said approval for Torrent Power's 3,000 MW Saidongar-I pumped storage project near the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Karjat was granted before he took charge of the Forest Department. He added that he was reviewing the project's details.
"I am looking into how maximum trees can be preserved at the site and how more trees can be planted in their place," he said.
The proposed project, being developed by Torrent Power at an estimated cost of Rs 13,500 crore, has drawn opposition over the planned felling of more than 32,000 trees and the diversion of forest land.
Naik's remarks come amid a growing debate over the project's environmental impact, with the state government defending it as important for clean energy generation and power storage.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has backed the project, saying pumped storage facilities would help balance intermittent solar and wind power generation and meet peak electricity demand. He dismissed the opposition as politically motivated but said the government was willing to consider genuine concerns and better alternatives.
Minister of State for Power Meghana Bordikar has also defended the project, saying it received approval after complying with conditions set by the Union Environment and Forest Ministry. Torrent Power has maintained that the project site is outside the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone.
Opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, have raised concerns over tree felling, forest diversion and the potential impact on biodiversity and local livelihoods. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has also visited the project area and met residents.
Environmental groups, including NatConnect Foundation and Vanashakti, have flagged concerns over forest loss, wildlife habitats, water security and the project's ecological impact on the Western Ghats.
The project has also faced resistance from villagers in Saidongar, Pali and other affected areas, who fear the loss of forest-based livelihoods and grazing land, as well as possible displacement.