Forest Land Transfer Fuels Pumped Storage Project Row

In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has transferred over 252 hectares of private land in Satara district to the forest department. This land, located in Kemse and Dhankal villages, is adjacent to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve and is intended for compensatory afforestation related to the proposed Sai Dongar Pumped Storage Project. The project, which involves diverting forest land and felling thousands of trees, has drawn substantial opposition from local communities, environmental organizations, and political figures concerned about its ecological consequences.

Officials stated that the transferred land, previously privately owned, lies within the buffer zone of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve and the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. This evergreen forest area, with a canopy density of 0.7, will now be integrated into the reserve, enhancing wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts. The land also serves as a crucial corridor between Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, supporting wildlife movement.

Despite these additions, environmentalists remain critical, arguing that afforestation cannot fully compensate for the loss of natural forest. They contend that the government's assessment of the project's environmental impact is misleading. The Chief Minister, however, has argued for the necessity of pumped-storage projects for clean energy, contrasting them with fossil fuel reliance and emphasizing the project's extensive tree-planting commitments.