Aaditya Thackeray slams Fadnavis over tree felling at Sai Dongar, says fight will not stop

Environmentalists have taken a hard line in Maharashtra, accusing the authorities of taking an axe to forests in the name of development. The felling of trees at Sai Dongar in the Karjat-Bhimashankar area has also heated up the political climate. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray visited the area where trees are being cut and launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Local residents and environmentalists claim that trees will be cut on a large scale for a proposed hydroelectric energy storage project. Thackeray questioned the government's way of taking decisions.

Taking a dig at the government, he said, "You say megawatt, but here you are putting in a mega vat." He also asked whether a public hearing had been held on the project, what had happened to the objections filed by local people, and whether other sites had been considered.

Thackeray said the agitation to save the Sai Dongar forest would continue. "Even if we have to die, that is fine, but this fight must not stop," he said, meaning that the fight must go on even at the cost of life. He extended his support to the local people's agitation and also appealed for a Chipko-style movement to save the trees. He said the environment should not be harmed in the name of development.

Several Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, including MP Sanjay Raut, Sushma Andhare and Ambadas Danve, were present during the visit.

Anger among local residents over the proposed project of Torrent Power is reported. The protesters fear that the felling of trees will affect the forest, biodiversity and the surrounding environment.

All eyes are now on what stand the government and the company concerned take on the project, and what is decided on the objections of local people. The demand for a balance between development and the environment has once again gained strength.