New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday criticised the reported felling of nearly 1,100 trees for a hydropower project in Maharashtra's Western Ghats, describing it as another example of "ecological devastation" affecting people across the country.
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Ramesh shared a media report on X claiming that nearly 1,100 trees had been felled, while more than 32,000 others had been marked for removal.
Yet another example of ecological devastation that is being inflicted on the people of our country. Who enjoys the gains and who bears the pain?
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 3, 2026
The pumped-storage hydropower project in the Western Ghats has raised concerns over forest rights, tribal livelihoods and its potential ecological impact.
Reacting to the report, Ramesh said, "Yet another example of ecological devastation that is being inflicted on the people of our country."
He also questioned who would benefit from the project and who would bear its costs, asking: "Who enjoys the gains and who bears the pain?"
Ramesh's remarks came days after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that the Maharashtra forest department had been ordered to fell more than 32,000 trees near the eco-sensitive Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. He claimed the clearance was being pursued ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit next month for the project's groundbreaking ceremony.
In a post on X, Raut shared a letter purportedly issued by a forest official, stating that approval had been granted for the diversion of 233 hectares of land for the Rs 13,505-crore Saidongar-I Karjat Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in Raigad district.
Opposition leaders and environmental activists have criticised the reported tree clearance, accusing the Maharashtra government led by the Mahayuti alliance of damaging forests and wildlife.
