Sayaji Shinde vows to resist every felling of Sahyadri trees, demands government policy

Nagpur: Well-known actor and environmental activist Sayaji Shinde has expressed strong displeasure over the indiscriminate felling of trees in Maharashtra. He said clearly that not a single tree in the Sahyadri range would be allowed to be cut without protest. According to Shinde, the movement will continue until the state government announces a concrete policy and takes firm steps to protect these sensitive hills.

Shinde was speaking at a press conference held by the "Sahyadri Bachao" environmental campaign. He said forests were being destroyed in the name of development, which caused him deep pain. He also questioned the government's priorities. He demanded that the state government provide a district-wise account of how many trees had been planted and how many cut. Shinde argued that ordinary people have a right to know the real state of Maharashtra's green cover.

Shinde said, "Humans are alive because of trees; trees do not live on the strength of humans." He said development could not be an excuse for indiscriminate felling of trees. He also demanded necessary changes to existing laws so that saving trees gets first priority.

Shinde claimed that only 17 per cent of Maharashtra's geographical area is covered by forest. He asked the government whether it wanted to turn the Sahyadri, regarded as the pride of Maharashtra, into a desert. In a sharp remark, he said that while the state was preparing for Diwali, the Sahyadri was being reduced to a state resembling Holika Dahan. He also alleged that trees were being felled on such a large scale that it was not merely an environmental issue but a major forest scam.

Shinde appealed to people to understand the importance of trees and to come forward on their own to protect the environment. He said, "After our mother, it is the tree that looks after our life." According to him, the fight to save the Sahyadri is not only about trees. It is a fight to protect ecological balance, water sources and the future of coming generations.

Meanwhile, a "Thali Bajao" protest is to be held in Nagpur. Green Nagpur has organised it on Monday, November 2, between 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm at Samvidhan Chowk (RBI Chowk). According to the organisers, Shinde is expected to take part. They have appealed to Nagpur residents to bring a plate and a spoon from home and raise their voice together against the destruction of the Sahyadri.

The campaigners recalled that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj drew the strength of a natural fortress from the Sahyadri in building Swarajya. They said they were pained that the same hills are now under threat from unchecked tree felling. The organisers warned, "If we stay silent today, tomorrow we may lose even water and the air we breathe."

The campaign wants to make protection of the environment a people's movement and urges people to go beyond expressing concern and openly oppose the destruction of forests. Its central demand is clear: that the government say how many trees have been lost and why, and show through firm action that the environment will not be sacrificed in the name of development.