Karjat farmers and tribals demand cancellation of Saidongar pumped storage hydro projects

Farmers, tribal communities and local residents in Karjat taluka have come out against the proposed Saidongar-1 and Saidongar-2 pumped storage hydropower projects. The total proposed capacity of the two projects is 6,000 MW.

The Karjat Taluka Paryavaran Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has submitted a detailed memorandum addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis through the Karjat tahsildar. It seeks permanent cancellation of both projects.

The samiti has warned that the projects could endanger the area's forests, farmland, rivers, water sources, biodiversity and the traditional rights of tribals. According to the samiti, the agitation will continue through democratic and legal means until both projects are cancelled.

Advocate Kailash More, associated with the samiti, said the memorandum highlights the environmental importance of Karjat taluka. He said the taluka is surrounded by the Sahyadri hills and has dense forests, rivers, streams and rich biodiversity.

The samiti has demanded that all activity linked to tree felling, forest clearances, construction, road work and land acquisition be halted immediately until the government takes a final decision. It has also sought an independent, high-level inquiry into the clearance process and the formation of a committee of affected villagers and environmental experts.

The memorandum raises a particular concern that a single shared reservoir has been proposed on the Page river for both Saidongar projects. Rather than assessing the two projects separately, the samiti wants a full Cumulative Impact Assessment to examine their combined environmental impact. It also seeks a separate hydrological study of the likely effect on water sources in Pali-Bhutivali, Poshir, Shilar and surrounding areas.

The samiti has also demanded that all government approvals, clearances, reports and agreements related to the projects be made public and that certified copies be provided. The documents sought include the DPR, EIA report, environmental clearance, Stage-I and Stage-II forest clearances, details of the trees to be felled, forest land records, tribals' forest rights, Gram Sabha resolutions, land acquisition papers, Social Impact Assessment report, hydrological study and Central Electricity Authority approvals. Details have also been sought of the DPR for the proposed 400 KV transmission line, permissions linked to roads and the Missing Link project, and agreements between the project company and the government.

The memorandum also expresses concern over the impact on tribal families and farmers. The samiti wants to know how many tribal families will be affected, what the individual and community forest rights are, and the status of Gram Sabha consent, acquisition of farmland, compensation and rehabilitation. It demands that no further action be taken until the legal rights of the affected communities are secured.

The samiti's nine main demands include permanent cancellation of both projects, a halt on all related activity, an independent inquiry into the clearance process, and a committee of affected villagers and environmental experts. It has asked the government to give a clear written decision, a report on the action taken and written information on the documents sought within eight days of receiving the memorandum.

In its statement, the samiti said: "We want sustainable development, not destruction. We do not accept those Torrent projects that threaten the forests, water sources, farming and the existence of local communities in Karjat. This is not the fight of any political party, but a fight for the land of Karjat and the future of coming generations. Our struggle will not stop until both Torrent projects are cancelled."

Office-bearers of the Karjat Taluka Paryavaran Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and several residents of Pali village were present when the memorandum was submitted.