Farmers, tribal communities and residents of Karjat taluka have opposed the proposed Saidongar 1 and Saidongar 2 pumped-storage hydropower projects, which together have a proposed capacity of 6,000 MW, and demanded their permanent cancellation from the Maharashtra government.
The Karjat Taluka Paryavaran Bachao Sangharsh Samiti submitted a memorandum to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis through the Karjat tehsildar, seeking an immediate halt to tree felling, forest clearances, construction-related road development and land acquisition linked to the projects.
The committee said the projects could affect Karjat’s forests, agricultural land, rivers, water sources, biodiversity and the traditional rights of tribal communities. It has also called for an independent, high-level inquiry into the approval process and a committee comprising affected villagers and environmental experts.
Advocate Kailash More, associated with the committee, said the memorandum underlined Karjat taluka’s ecological importance. The area is surrounded by the Sahyadri mountain ranges and includes dense forests, rivers, streams and biodiversity, he said.
A central concern raised by the committee is the proposed use of a common reservoir on the Page river for both projects. The group has demanded a cumulative impact assessment covering the two projects together, rather than separate assessments, along with a hydrological study of possible effects on water sources in Pali, Bhutivali, Poshir, Shilar and surrounding areas.
The memorandum also seeks public disclosure of approvals, clearances, reports and agreements connected with the projects. Documents sought include the Detailed Project Reports, environmental impact assessments, environmental clearances, Stage I and Stage II forest clearances, records of trees proposed to be felled, forest land records, tribal forest rights documents, Gram Sabha resolutions, land acquisition papers, social impact assessments, hydrological studies and Central Electricity Authority approvals.
The committee has additionally requested the Detailed Project Report for a proposed 400 kV transmission line, permissions related to roads and the Missing Link project, and details of agreements between the project company and the government.
The memorandum asks the government to disclose the number of tribal families and farmers likely to be affected, details of individual and community forest rights, Gram Sabha consent, agricultural land acquisition, compensation and rehabilitation measures. It has demanded that no further project action be taken until the legal rights of affected communities are protected.
The committee has sought a clear written decision, an action-taken report and written information on the requested documents within eight days of the memorandum being received. Its stated demands include permanent cancellation of both projects, suspension of related activities, an independent inquiry and the formation of a committee involving affected villagers and environmental experts.
In a statement, the committee said it supported sustainable development but opposed projects it believes threaten Karjat’s forests, water resources, agriculture and local communities. Office-bearers of the organisation and several residents of Pali village were present when the memorandum was submitted.
