Every number on this site comes from a document I can point to:
Official papers first: Terms of Reference, clearance letters, Expert Appraisal and Forest Advisory Committee minutes, EIA reports, forest orders, gazettes and Central Electricity Authority records, mostly from the Parivesh portal.
News second: only from a fixed list of outlets (see About), summarised in my own words.
Every claim is labelled documented, reported, alleged (always with who alleges it) or official claim. The ⓘ beside a number shows the page and sentence it comes from.
Daily updates are added automatically and marked "not yet reviewed" until an editor checks them.
When sources disagree, I show both figures side by side.
Spotted a mistake, or have a document I should see? Write to daredavil239804@gmail.com with the page, the claim and, if you can, a source. I reply within 7 days and note every fix on the page.
Please check the linked source before you forward a figure.
Independent and unfunded. Every number links to its source: please check it before you share. Allegations are marked and attributed. Terms & disclaimer ·
17.1 (estimate)DocumentedDerived on this siteStorage implied by us from capacity × rated hours or annual generation; see the project note.Environmental Clearance, Saidongar-1 PSP (MoEFCC) · 12 January 2026
48,557 is the count in the FAC minutes that recommended Stage-I (documented); 48,000 is the developer's own rounded EIA estimate (documented). 32,490 is the number reported from the Oct 2026 felling permission, whose text is not public. The 16,067 gap to the FAC count is unexplained; a phased Stage-II approval is one possible reason but is unverified. The FAC minutes of 8 May 2026 (CA land change) give no tree count and do not mention phasing, so they do not explain the gap. Show side by side; never average.
Terms of Reference (ToR)The list of studies an EIA must cover, set by the expert committee. Getting a ToR is the first clearance step, not a permission to build.More in glossary → 18 Feb 2025.
Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)The central committee of experts that recommends ToR and EC for river valley and hydro projects, including PSPs.More in glossary → sub-committee (Prof. G. J. Chakrapani, Ajay Kumar Lal, Dr Krishnendu Mondal of MoEFCC) visited 21–23 Apr 2025; its report, considered 14 May 2025, saw the lower reservoir on the Pej in person but judged the upper reservoir ('barren', 'minimal grassland') only from Torrent's drone footage, as it was not accessible.
It asked Torrent to narrow the approach road (17 ha of the 233 ha forest).
Environmental clearance (EC)The environment ministry's permission for a project, given after the EIA and public hearing, with conditions attached.More in glossary → 12 Jan 2026.
Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)The central committee that recommends whether forest land may be diverted for a project.More in glossary → recommended Forest clearance (Stage-I / Stage-II)Central permission to use forest land for a project. Stage-I is in-principle approval with conditions; Stage-II is final approval.More in glossary → on 2 Dec 2025; MoEFCC accorded it on 31 Dec 2025.
On 8 May 2026 the FAC accepted a change of Compensatory afforestation (CA) and CAMPAPlanting on other land to 'replace' forest that is cut. The developer pays; the money goes to a state CAMPA fund.More in glossary → land: the first site (243.37 ha at Nive, Khed, Ratnagiri) fell through after owners withdrew consent, and 252.7597 ha at Kemase and Dhankal (Patan, Satara), already forest-like (canopy 0.6–0.7) and in the buffer of Western Ghats / SahyadriThe 1,600 km mountain chain along India's west coast: older than the Himalaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a global biodiversity hotspot.More in glossary →Wildlife sanctuary (WLS) and tiger reserveProtected areas under the Wild Life (Protection) Act. A tiger reserve has an inviolate core and a surrounding buffer.More in glossary →, was taken instead.
Those minutes give no tree count and say nothing about Stage-II or phasing.
Torrent's Jun 2026 compliance report says Stage-II compliance was uploaded on PariveshThe environment ministry's online portal for clearance applications, agendas and minutes.More in glossary →.
Final approval reportedly 6 Oct 2026; felling permission dated 14 Oct 2026 (order not public).
The 233 ha forest is 197.0272 ha reserved, 26.066 ha private and 9.9068 ha protected forest (FAC minutes, 8 May 2026).
Felling began around Dussehra and was halted 26–27 Oct after protests.
PM foundation stone scheduled 3 Nov 2026.
EC lists 14 Schedule-I speciesAnimals given the highest legal protection under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, such as leopard, sloth bear and pangolin.More in glossary → mammals in the study area; Bhimashankar WLS is 15.53 km and its Eco-sensitive zone (ESZ)A notified buffer around a sanctuary or national park where some activities are banned or regulated.More in glossary → 15.168 km away per the Alibag DCF letter cited in the EC (Torrent says 16 km).
The Environmental impact assessment (EIA)The study a developer must commission on a project's effects on land, water, wildlife and people before it can get an EC.More in glossary → calls the 233 ha 'shrub and grass dominated' with 'very sparse' small trees, yet counts about 48,000 trees.
The FAC minutes of 2 Dec 2025 record 48,557 trees, Canopy density / very dense forestHow much of the ground the tree crowns cover. 70% or more is 'very dense forest' in India's forest survey.More in glossary → 0.3, and that 197.7653 ha of the 233 ha lies inside the proposed Rajmachi Conservation Reserve (not yet notified) and inside the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)About 56,825 sq km of the Western Ghats proposed for protection since 2014; still only a draft, reissued six times.More in glossary → of the 31 Jul 2024 draft; the FAC recommended Stage-I anyway, telling the developer to seek approval later if the reserve is notified.
Storage MW, MWh and GWhMW is how fast power flows; MWh (or GWh = 1,000 MWh) is how much energy is stored or delivered.More in glossary → implied from 6,241.5 MU/yr.
Scheduled: PM to lay foundation stone for Karjat Pumped storage project (PSP)Two reservoirs at different heights: water is pumped up when power is cheap and released through turbines when power is needed.More in glossary →
Details and documents
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Karjat to lay the foundation stone of Torrent's 3,000 MWReported“…ct A forest order dated October 14, 2026, reportedly permits felling 32,490 trees in Karjat forests for Torrent Power’s proposed 3,000 MW Saidongar-I project. Commenting on the opposition criticism, state minister Meghna Bordikar said that the project was approved…”FPJ, 25 Oct 2026 Saidongar-1 project. Activists plan statewide plate-banging protests on the day.
The Forest Department reported that felling for the Karjat project has stopped amid opposition from villagers, environmentalists and parties. How many trees were already cut has not been disclosed.
Actor Sayaji Shinde, activists call for statewide protest over Karjat felling
Details and documents
At a press conference in Mumbai, activists alleged felling of 200–250 trees a day since Dussehra and a far higher real count than the 48,000Alleged“…down. Using modern machinery, trees are being cut in two to five minutes," More alleged, adding that on paper it is claimed that 48,000 trees will be cut for the project, but the company is actually chopping around 2.5 lakh trees. More claimed that the villages ar…”ThePrint: Greens see red in Torrent Power unit in Karjat · 26 October 2026 on paper. They said a Gram sabhaThe assembly of all adult voters of a village; under FRA and PESA its consent is needed for some decisions on land and forests.More in glossary → had resolved against the project and the Public hearingA meeting near the project site, run by the state pollution control board, where affected people can object on record.More in glossary → was held outside the affected area.
Opposition leaders visit Sai Dongar; CM calls criticism a 'fake narrative'
Details and documents
Aaditya Thackeray called the felling illegal and a 'massacre of nature'. CM Devendra Fadnavis said the project completed all approvals and local concerns would be considered.
Rohit Pawar called it 'an end of an entire ecosystem', citing destroyed nests and chicks. NatConnect asked MoEFCC to review the 233 haReported“…te Change to review the project’s environmental implications. The organisation has raised concerns over the proposed diversion of 233 hectares of forest land, warning of potential impacts on the Saidongar area’s natural resources, wildlife and local communities.…”FPJ · 25 October 2026 diversion. MoS Power said all central conditions were met.Reported“…Pawar Oppose Cutting Of 32,490 Trees For Karjat Power Project A forest order dated October 14, 2026, reportedly permits felling 32,490 trees in Karjat forests for Torrent Power’s proposed 3,000 MW Saidongar-I project. Commenting on the opposition criticism, state…”FPJ · 25 October 2026
A Forest Department permission dated 14 Oct allows felling of 32,490 treesReported“…Pawar Oppose Cutting Of 32,490 Trees For Karjat Power Project A forest order dated October 14, 2026, reportedly permits felling 32,490 trees in Karjat forests for Torrent Power’s proposed 3,000 MW Saidongar-I project. Commenting on the opposition criticism, state…”FPJ (citing TOI) on 233 haReported“…te Change to review the project’s environmental implications. The organisation has raised concerns over the proposed diversion of 233 hectares of forest land, warning of potential impacts on the Saidongar area’s natural resources, wildlife and local communities.…”FPJ (citing TOI) of forest at Saidongar. Times of India (via FPJ) says the Karjat DFO signed it; Mid-Day (via Urban Acres) describes a letter from the Range Forest Officer, Karjat East, directing immediate felling. The order itself is not public. Torrent's own EIA had estimated about 48,000 treesReported“clearing of 48,000 nos. of trees. (Trees proposed for plantation on Muck disposal area also”Saidongar-1 draft EIA executive summary (MPCB): cutting of about 48,000 trees, page21 · August 2025. Felling began around Dussehra.
MoEFCC final approval for 233 ha forest diversion at Karjat (reported)
Details and documents
An official cited by Urban Acres says the Union environment ministry gave final (Stage-II) approval to divert 233 haReported“…rding to an official cited in the report, the Union Environment Ministry granted final approval on October 6 for the diversion of 233 hectares of forest land and the felling of 48,000 trees. The approval and the conditions attached to it have become central to th…”Urban Acres · 25 October 2026 and fell 48,000 treesReported“…ning the diversion of 233 hectares of forest land, and the concerns raised by residents and environmental groups over the loss of 48,000 trees. The authorities’ next actions on project implementation and the proposed protest will determine the immediate course of th…”Urban Acres · 25 October 2026. Torrent's compliance report of 8 Jun 2026 says its Stage-II compliance had been uploaded on Parivesh. The approval text is not yet public.
Environmental clearance granted to Karjat (Saidongar-1) PSP
Details and documents
The EC covers 377 haDocumented“377 Ha at Village Potal, Saidongar, Ambot, etc, Sub District Karjat, District Raigarh,”Karjat EC, page1 including 233 haDocumented“consists of land acquisition of 377 ha in which 233 ha is forest area and remaining 144 ha is”Karjat EC, page15 of forest; it lists 14Documented“Mammals (14): Indian Jackal, Indian Fox, Indian Wolf, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Indian Porcupine,”Karjat EC, page25 Schedule-I mammals in the study area and declares Rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R)What a project must provide to people who lose homes, land or livelihoods.More in glossary → not applicable.
MoEFCC issued in-principle (Stage-I) approval to divert 233 haDocumented“consists of land acquisition of 377 ha in which 233 ha is forest area and remaining 144 ha is”Karjat EC (annexure: status of Stage-I FC, FRA), page15 · 12 January 2026 of forest for Saidongar-1, twelve days before the EC. The state had recommended the diversion on 19 Sep 2025. At EC time, gram sabha approval under Forest Rights Act (FRA)The 2006 law that recognises tribal and forest-dwelling communities' rights over the land and forests they use.More in glossary → for Dhak village was still pending with the SDM.
The FAC recommended Stage-I for 233 haDocumented“diversion of 233 ha. forest land (197.0272 Ha Reserved Forest, 26.066 Ha Private”FAC minutes, 2 Dec 2025 (MoM FC/MOM/AC/473103/2025), page176 · 2 December 2025 of forest and 48,557 treesDocumented“Also, the proposal involves felling of 48557 number of trees.”FAC minutes, 2 Dec 2025 (MoM FC/MOM/AC/473103/2025), page177 · 2 December 2025. It noted that 197.77 haDocumented“i.e. 197.7653 ha out of 233 ha, falls within the boundary of the proposed”FAC minutes, 2 Dec 2025 (MoM FC/MOM/AC/473103/2025), page179 · 2 December 2025 lies inside the proposed Rajmachi Conservation Reserve and the draft Western Ghats ESA, and cleared it anyway because the reserve is not yet notified.
Torrent's draft EIA for Saidongar-1, filed with MPCB for the public hearing, says the project needs 233 haDocumented“forest diversion for 233.0 Ha has been submitted vide proposal no.”Saidongar-1 draft EIA executive summary (MPCB), page3 · August 2025 of forest and 'cutting of about 48,000 treesDocumented“clearing of 48,000 nos. of trees. (Trees proposed for plantation on Muck disposal area also”Saidongar-1 draft EIA executive summary (MPCB), page21 · August 2025'. The same summary describes the forest as shrub and grass dominated with very sparse small trees.
A three-member sub-committee (EAC chair G. J. Chakrapani, member Ajay Kumar Lal, MoEFCC's Krishnendu Mondal) visited Saidongar-1 and -2 on 21–23 Apr 2025. It walked the lower reservoir on the Pej but saw both upper reservoirs only on Torrent's drone footage, as they were not accessible, and called them barren table-land. Its five recommendations were narrower approach roads (17 haDocumented“diversion (17 Ha out of 233 Ha proposed forest land) and should be reflected in the final layout.”EAC 31st meeting minutes, 14 May 2025 (site-visit reports, Annexures I and II), page131 · 14 May 2025 of Karjat's 233 haDocumented“non-forest land and 233.0 hectares is forest land. Consequently, diversion of forest land is required,”EAC 31st meeting minutes, 14 May 2025 (site-visit reports, Annexures I and II), page128 · 14 May 2025 forest), CWLW-approved wildlife plans, monsoon-only water draw, a Muck disposalRock and soil dug out for tunnels and caverns, dumped on land set aside for it.More in glossary → plan, and putting site-visit assurances in the EIA. The EAC accepted the report on 14 May 2025.
ToR for the 3,000 MWDocumented“filling requirement of 23 MCM) for lower dam of Saidongar-1 PSP of 3000 MW at Karjat, Raigad in”Karjat EC (recites ToR date), page26Open loopA PSP with at least one reservoir on a river or stream, so it changes natural water flow.More in glossary → project on the Pej River.
Torrent signs revised Memorandum of understanding (MoU)A non-binding agreement between the state and a developer to study and build a project at a site, with a water allocation.More in glossary → with Water Resources Department (5,600 MW)
Details and documents
Part of a ₹2.14 lakh crore round of PSP MoUs with seven companies.Reported“…hich updates a previous agreement from June 6, 2023, now focuses on establishing Pumped Storage projects with a total capacity of 5,600 MW, instead of the initially planned 5,700 MW. As per the earlier MoU signed with the Department of Energy, Government of Mahar…”Energetica India
Torrent signs MoU for Karjat, Maval and Junnar PSPs (5,700 MW)
Details and documents
All three sites described as off-stream with six hours of daily storage; ₹27,000 crore over five years.Reported“Torrent Power Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra for development of three pumped storage hydro projects of 5,700 MW capacity in Maharashtra.”Power Line
The 2013 land acquisition law (RFCTLARR) requires a rehabilitation and resettlement plan for affected families.
⚠️ What happened
Karjat's draft EIA says no R&R plan is needed, citing a 2014 Maharashtra notification that applies R&R only to private purchases of 1,000 haDocumented“…pact Assessment (EIA) report , no Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) Plan is required as the proposed PSP project is less than 1000 ha. As per the Government of Maharashtra s Gazette notification (Maharashtra Gazette notification No. LQN. 12/2013/C.R. 190/A-2 d…”Land Conflict Watch (cites draft EIA and 27 Aug 2014 notification) or more. The project needs 377 haDocumented“377 Ha at Village Potal, Saidongar, Ambot, etc, Sub District Karjat, District Raigarh,”Karjat EC, page1.
Wildlife clearance and stricter scrutiny apply to projects near protected areas.
⚠️ What happened
Karjat is framed as 16 kmDocumented“…3,000-megawatt pumped storage project in Karjat, Maharashtra, against environmental concerns, saying the project is located about 16 km from the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary and that all its components fall outside the sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone. T…”ThePrint: Torrent says project outside sanctuary from Bhimashankar and outside its ESZ, so no wildlife clearance. Yet its own EC lists 14Documented“Mammals (14): Indian Jackal, Indian Fox, Indian Wolf, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Indian Porcupine,”Karjat EC, page25 Schedule-I mammals in the study area and orders a human–animal conflict plan, and the site lies on the Bhimashankar–Malshej Wildlife corridorA strip of habitat that lets animals move between protected areas; usually has no legal protection of its own.More in glossary →.
Cumulative impact assessmentA study of the combined effect of all projects in one river basin or landscape, rather than one project at a time.More in glossary → and carrying-capacity studies show what many projects do to one basin together.
⚠️ What happened
None exists for the Kal, Savitri, Pej, Kalu or Koyna basins. Pane's upper dam is ~3 kmDocumented“· Upper Adani Dam is barely 3 kms from the proposed Upper Dam of 1500 MW Pane Pumped Storage by JSW.”SANDRP: letter to the EAC on the Adani dams · 29 November 2024 from Warasgaon's; residents say more projects are planned within 15–20 km of Karjat.
Tree enumeration fixes the compensation and the scale of felling.
⚠️ What happened
For Karjat: Torrent's own draft EIA estimates about 48,000 treesReported“…down. Using modern machinery, trees are being cut in two to five minutes," More alleged, adding that on paper it is claimed that 48,000 trees will be cut for the project, but the company is actually chopping around 2.5 lakh trees. More claimed that the villages ar…”ThePrint on 233 haReported“…te Change to review the project’s environmental implications. The organisation has raised concerns over the proposed diversion of 233 hectares of forest land, warning of potential impacts on the Saidongar area’s natural resources, wildlife and local communities.…”FPJ, the Oct 2026 felling permission is reported at 32,490Reported“…Pawar Oppose Cutting Of 32,490 Trees For Karjat Power Project A forest order dated October 14, 2026, reportedly permits felling 32,490 trees in Karjat forests for Torrent Power’s proposed 3,000 MW Saidongar-I project. Commenting on the opposition criticism, state…”FPJ, and activists allege far more are being cut. The same EIA describes the forest as shrub and grass dominated with very sparse small trees.
A gram sabha passed resolutions against the project; Torrent has not clarified its status. No community impact assessment was done and only 100Alleged“Citing the “executive summary of the project”, he claimed only 100 jobs will be created during the operation phase of the project.”ThePrint operational jobs are listed.
About 144 haDocumented“…orage hydropower project planned by Torrent Power Ltd . The project, covering a total of 370 hectares (233 ha of forest area and 144 ha of non-forested area), will comprise of two reservoirs. The upper reservoir will be constructed on the hilltop with maximum da…”Land Conflict Watch of private land to be acquired across six villages (Dhak 73.55 haDocumented“Bhaliwadi (2.29 ha), Ambot (1.34 ha), Potal (6.87), Pali (48.14 ha), Saidongar (11.79 ha) and Dhak (73.55 ha)”Land Conflict Watch, Pali 48.14 haDocumented“Bhaliwadi (2.29 ha), Ambot (1.34 ha), Potal (6.87), Pali (48.14 ha), Saidongar (11.79 ha) and Dhak (73.55 ha)”Land Conflict Watch). No household count published; R&R declared not applicable.
14 Schedule-I mammals in Karjat's study areaDocumented
WPA 1972 Schedule I
The project's own EC lists leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, four-horned antelope and pangolin among 14Documented“Mammals (14): Indian Jackal, Indian Fox, Indian Wolf, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Indian Porcupine,”Karjat EC, page25 Schedule-I mammals, and orders a human–animal conflict plan.
A contiguous forest linkage used by leopard, sambar, gaur, Shekru and langur. Karjat lies within it even though it is outside the sanctuary's legal line.
Muck, blasting and landslide-prone slopesDocumented
Karjat alone will excavate 110.78Documented“during construction/Operation phase is 110.78 lakh cum”Karjat EC, page22 lakh m³ of rock and dump 65.69Documented“factor and reuse would be 65.69 Lakh cum. The entire excavated material is”Karjat EC, page19 lakh m³ at three sites, on slopes where its EC requires landslide prevention. Raigad has seen deadly landslides (Taliye 2021, Irshalwadi 2023).
Activists allege a far higher tree count than official papers, a hearing held outside the affected area and a gram sabha resolution against the project.
Opposition leaders say tens of thousands of trees are being cut for Torrent's Karjat project; Rohit Pawar claims the count could reach one lakh. CM Fadnavis calls it a fake narrative and says 90,000 trees will be planted.
Ministers Ashish Shelar and Meghna Bordikar defend the Karjat project, saying it meets environmental and forest conditions. The Karjat Paryavaran Bachao Samiti says it will protest if felling continues.
Official claimNot yet reviewedTreesProtestClearance