• CAMIT Supports Karjat Hydropower Project; Calls for Comprehensive Ecological Restoration Beyond Compensatory Afforestation,CAMIT Writes to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Urges Shared Environmental Accountability of Project Developer and State Government

Nagpur, 28 October 2026:

The Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry & Trade (CAMIT) has expressed its views on the controversy surrounding the proposed felling of 32,490 trees for Torrent Power’s 3,000 MW Saidongar Pumped Storage Hydropower Project at Karjat in Raigad district, emphasising that industrial development and environmental conservation must progress together rather than being viewed as conflicting objectives.

Dr. Dipen Agrawal, President of CAMIT and National Vice-President of Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal (BUVM), stated that Maharashtra’s growing industrial economy requires reliable electricity, modern energy infrastructure, fresh investment and employment opportunities. Projects supporting renewable energy integration and energy security are essential for strengthening the state’s industrial competitiveness.

“CAMIT firmly supports the implementation of the Karjat Hydropower Project, recognising its strategic importance for Maharashtra’s energy security and industrial growth. However, development must be accompanied by an equally strong commitment to safeguarding our natural resources and ecological heritage,” Dr. Agrawal stated.

He emphasised that the real issue is not whether development should take place, but how development can be undertaken responsibly while ensuring that unavoidable environmental damage is scientifically assessed, minimised and adequately addressed.

Planting Saplings Cannot Compensate for the Loss of Mature Forests

Referring to the government’s reported proposal to plant approximately 90,000 saplings as compensatory afforestation, Dr. Agrawal observed that while such initiatives are welcome, planting saplings cannot, by itself, constitute an adequate ecological remedy for the loss of mature trees and established natural forests.

“A natural forest is not merely a collection of trees. It is a complex ecosystem developed over decades, supporting biodiversity, wildlife habitats, groundwater recharge, soil conservation and climate regulation. Replacing mature trees with newly planted saplings cannot immediately restore these ecological functions,” he explained.

“Environmental compensation must be measured not by the number of saplings planted, but by the ecological value restored, biodiversity protected and long-term environmental outcomes achieved,” Dr. Agrawal asserted.

CAMIT Recommends a Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility Framework

CAMIT has suggested that the project developer, in coordination with the Maharashtra Government and Forest Department, undertake a scientifically designed, adequately funded and independently monitored environmental conservation programme alongside the project’s implementation.

The Chamber has proposed the following measures:

1. Conservation of Existing Natural Forests

Instead of relying primarily on compensatory plantations, the project developer should be required to finance the protection, regeneration and long-term conservation of identified degraded and vulnerable forest areas within the same ecological landscape, wherever feasible.

Priority should be given to protecting existing forest ecosystems, preventing further degradation and restoring their natural biodiversity.

2. Comprehensive Ecological Restoration

A scientifically designed restoration programme should address the actual environmental impacts of the project, including biodiversity conservation, wildlife habitats and corridors, soil stabilisation, erosion prevention, watershed management and restoration of native vegetation.

3. Dedicated Environmental Conservation Fund

CAMIT recommends establishing a ring-fenced Environmental Conservation and Restoration Fund, financed by the project developer and administered under an appropriate government-supervised mechanism.

The fund should cover ecological restoration, forest protection, biodiversity monitoring and maintenance obligations over a minimum period of 10–15 years, with provision for longer-term commitments wherever necessary.

4. Performance-Linked Environmental Obligations

Environmental commitments should be linked to measurable outcomes rather than expenditure or plantation numbers alone.

Indicators should include the survival and growth of native vegetation, regeneration of forest cover, restoration of wildlife habitats, soil and water conservation outcomes and improvements in biodiversity.

Independent third-party assessments should be conducted periodically, with reports placed in the public domain.

5. Defined Responsibilities of the Company and Forest Department

The project developer must bear responsibility for financing and implementing its prescribed environmental mitigation and restoration obligations.

The State Government and Maharashtra Forest Department should identify suitable conservation areas, approve scientific restoration plans, independently supervise implementation and ensure strict compliance with environmental commitments.

Clear accountability, enforceable milestones and corrective measures for non-compliance should form part of the framework.

6. Local Community Participation

Local communities, particularly residents dependent on forest resources, should be actively involved in conservation, protection and monitoring activities.

Such participation would create sustainable livelihood opportunities while encouraging community ownership of environmental conservation.

CAMIT Writes to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Dr. Agrawal informed that CAMIT has written to Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis Ji, conveying its support for the strategically important energy project while urging the State Government to adopt a more comprehensive and outcome-oriented approach towards environmental responsibility.

CAMIT has requested that the government consider incorporating the proposed conservation framework into the project’s environmental obligations, with clearly defined responsibilities for the developer and the Forest Department.

The Chamber has also suggested that the framework be developed in consultation with qualified environmental and ecological experts to ensure that restoration measures are scientifically sound, independently verifiable and sustainable.

“We believe that under the progressive leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis Ji, Maharashtra can establish a model where major infrastructure projects contribute not only to economic growth but also to measurable, long-term ecological conservation,” Dr. Agrawal stated.

Development Must Create Economic Prosperity Without Compromising Ecological Security

Dr. Agrawal reiterated that the trade and industry fraternity remains committed to supporting investment, infrastructure development, employment generation and the government’s vision of making Maharashtra a leading industrial powerhouse.

However, environmental protection should not be treated merely as a statutory compliance requirement or a compensatory plantation exercise.

“Industry needs electricity, investment needs infrastructure, and society needs employment. Equally, every citizen needs clean air, water, biodiversity and a healthy environment. These are complementary necessities, not competing priorities.”

He concluded with a strong message:

“Let the project move forward, let industries flourish and let employment grow — but let us simultaneously ensure that nature is protected through meaningful, measurable and lasting conservation efforts.”

“True development is not merely about the prosperity we create today, but also about the natural heritage we preserve for tomorrow.”

— Dr. Dipen Agrawal