Overview
- The Maharashtra forest department issued an October 14 order authorising the immediate felling of 32,490 trees and contractors have begun cutting in Saidongar, Pali and Kotwal Khalati, with some reports citing up to 48,000 trees and a diversion of 233 hectares of forest land.
- State and central authorities say the project has received required clearances and that Torrent Power will fund compensatory planting totalling 90,000 trees to offset the loss.
- Local residents and environmental groups have staged protests and published viral videos since tree‑felling began, demanding reviews and warning of habitat loss for species such as barking deer and threats to Adivasi livelihoods.
- Torrent Power’s proposed Saidongar‑1 scheme is a 3,000 MW off‑stream pumped‑storage plant intended to stabilise the grid and support renewable power integration with an estimated investment of around Rs 13,505 crore.
- Political tensions have sharply risen as opposition leaders amplify criticism and environmental NGOs press for formal reviews, with the Nov. 3 ceremony expected to further intensify public scrutiny and possible legal challenges.