Karjat Tree Cutting Draws Criticism, Raj Thackeray to Visit Forest

Mumbai: Tree felling in Karjat has triggered a political row in Maharashtra, with MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande accusing the state government of failing to protect the environment. He alleged that over 2,075 trees have been cut for a project of the Torrent company.

In a media briefing on Monday, Deshpande said the government had previously carried out tree felling for the Nashik Kumbh Mela and had removed thousands of trees there. He said the same pattern was now visible in Karjat, where the forest clearing had left a deeply disturbing picture.

Deshpande said trees that are around 150 years old have been cut down. He added that trees with medicinal, Ayurvedic importance were also not spared. He asked what kind of green initiative could justify such large-scale cutting.

He said that the Torrent company, based in Gujarat, was the beneficiary of the felling. While more than 2,075 trees have already been cut, he claimed that the government has given permission to fell 32,000 trees. He also questioned how the approval was granted when the gram panchayat had not passed any resolution on the subject.

Deshpande announced that Raj Thackeray will address a gathering at the Police Ground on the 28th. Before that, Thackeray will personally visit the forest area to assess the situation, he said.

Targeting the Chief Minister, Deshpande said development should not be achieved by destroying nature. He asked whether the Chief Minister's word is always correct and referred to a 1975 film to suggest that the government should watch the film it made itself.

The MNS leader urged that a movement be launched against tree cutting. He called on opposition leaders to unite and raise their voice against the government to save the environment. He added that the MNS will decide its agitation strategy under the guidance of Raj Thackeray.