Congress slams 'felling' of trees for Maharashtra power project, calls it another ecological disaster
A pumped-storage hydropower project in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats has raised concerns over forest rights, tribal livelihoods and ecological impact
On November 3, 2026, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the reported cutting of approximately 1,100 trees for a proposed hydropower project in Maharashtra's Western Ghats, describing it as another instance of ecological destruction. He pointed out that over 32,000 trees are slated for removal ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit for the project's groundbreaking ceremony.
Torrent Power, the company behind the project, is set to clear large tracts of forest land near the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. Videos of the tree felling operations have circulated on social media platforms, sparking outrage among environmentalists. Congress General Secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, shared a media report on X, highlighting that the project has already marked 32,000 trees for removal.
The project, a pumped-storage hydropower initiative in Maharashtra's Western Ghats, has raised concerns over forest rights, tribal livelihoods, and its potential ecological impact. Ramesh's comments come in the wake of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleging that the Maharashtra Forest Department has received permission to fell more than 32,000 trees near the eco-sensitive Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in preparation for the project's inauguration ceremony.
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