Sanjay Raut slams tree felling in Karjat forest, says only demons could do such work

Mumbai: Trees are being felled on a large scale in the forest at Karjat. Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut has taken a hard line on the issue. Raut said he went to Karjat yesterday and that only demons could do what was done there, where 200-year-old trees were cut down. According to him, those at the Centre are demons in human form.

Raut claimed that 2,000 trees have been cut so far and that 33,000 more are to be felled.

Speaking to the media, Raut raised several issues. He said Bhimashankar is 20 km from the spot. The area has many medicinal plants, including those that counter poison. He said the forest has been handed to Gujarat's Torrent company. He said the forest has begun to be given to Mehta and Shah. Police have been brought in to beat the villagers. Raut said this fight will not stop and added that they would see how the project gets built.

Raut asked where the saplings would be planted. He said that as the trees were felled, birds' nests were destroyed and the birds writhed in distress through the night. He said this government has no shame and should shut down its environment department.

Raut also said money is being made behind the felling of trees. He said industries have come to the state before, and that he himself brought MIDC estates and the like. According to him, these people want to invest black money here. He asked who is arguing their case and answered himself that Ujjwal Nikam is on the side of the Torrent company. Raut called this Maharashtra's misfortune.

Five thousand trees to be felled in Chandrapur: Raut said it is plain to see that an MP has to put up with his honour being torn to shreds. In his words, cutting ten trees amounts to one Kasab, and Nikam should understand that those who fell trees are Kasab's fathers. He said taking their side is like taking Kasab's side.

Raut also said Adani has murdered the country's honour. He said an axe is about to be swung at a tiger project for Adani. According to Raut, 5,000 trees will be felled in Chandrapur.