Forest dept says trees felled near Karjat, not in Bhimashankar sanctuary

The Pune Forest and Wildlife Department has clarified that no illegal tree felling is going on in the Bhimashankar sanctuary, after reports on social media claimed trees were being cut there on a large scale.

According to the department, the felling under way for Torrent's pumped storage hydroelectric project is taking place in the Pali and Dhak areas of Karjat taluka, about 16 km from Bhimashankar. The department said this felling had been mistaken for felling in the sanctuary, which caused confusion among people.

Torrent is building a 3,000 MW pumped storage project in the Sahyadri valley at Karjat. The state government has given 233 hectares of forest land for it. A total of 32,490 trees are to be felled in this area, of which 1,825 have been cut so far. The felling began in line with legal procedure after the process of diverting the forest land for other use was completed.

Environmentalists and activists oppose the felling. They fear that the loss of thousands of trees will affect the natural habitat of wild animals, biodiversity and local water sources. Activists claim that the loss of an old, natural forest cannot be made good by planting new trees alone. The site is part of an ecologically sensitive area of the Western Ghats. Environmentalists have therefore demanded an in-depth study of the project's environmental impact and that an alternative site be considered.

The state government has backed the project. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said it is important for producing clean energy. The government says it will reduce the state's dependence on coal-based power generation.

The government has said 90,000 new trees will be planted to compensate for the damage to nature from the use of forest land. According to the government, the project was approved only after all legal procedures and hearings were completed. Assurances have also been given that if the project affects the livelihoods of local people, their complaints will be heard and a suitable solution found.

The clarification was issued in a press note by the Pune Forest Conservator and the Deputy Conservator of Forests of the wildlife division. It said reports of illegal felling in the Bhimashankar sanctuary for the company's project were circulating on social media and other platforms, but no such illegal felling was taking place in the sanctuary. The department appealed to people to keep this clarification in mind and cooperate with the administration.