Save the Sahyadri forests: Stop large-scale tree felling in Karjat-Bhimashankar belt
The Issue
The Sahyadri Forests of the Karjat-Bhimashankar belt form a pivotal segment of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its infectious biodiversity. These forests, lush and teeming with life, are now under threat due to large-scale tree felling and heavy land clearing driven by development projects, including the controversial Torrent Hydro Project.
Among the diverse flora and fauna that call these forests home is the Giant Red Squirrel, a species whose existence is intricately tied to this habitat. The survival of these remarkable creatures, along with countless other species, hinges on our ability to protect their environment.
The Karjat-Bhimashankar region is marked as an eco-sensitive zone. Its unique biome not only conserves endangered species but also supports the livelihoods of thousands who rely on its rich natural resources. Altering these landscapes means not only an ecological disaster but the potential loss of traditional livelihoods.
The Torrent Hydro Project currently sanctioned in this area threatens irreparable harm to the environment. We believe that development and conservation can coexist, and thus propose an immediate halt to all tree felling and clearing activities in this region. We urge the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, and local governmental bodies to consider relocating the project to less sensitive areas, ensuring a sustainable development model.
Experts in biodiversity conservation and local NGOs have voiced concerns backed by statistics; deforestation in sensitive zones like these contributes extensively to climate change, impacting weather patterns and agricultural rhythms critical to India’s food security.
The time to act is now! Protecting our natural heritage and adopting models of sustainable development can secure the future for generations to come. We urge you to lend your voice, strong and clear, to this cause. Stand with us to save the Sahyadri Forests and protect the irreplaceable ecosystem of the Western Ghats. Please sign this petition to show your support.
4,166
The Issue
The Sahyadri Forests of the Karjat-Bhimashankar belt form a pivotal segment of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its infectious biodiversity. These forests, lush and teeming with life, are now under threat due to large-scale tree felling and heavy land clearing driven by development projects, including the controversial Torrent Hydro Project.
Among the diverse flora and fauna that call these forests home is the Giant Red Squirrel, a species whose existence is intricately tied to this habitat. The survival of these remarkable creatures, along with countless other species, hinges on our ability to protect their environment.
The Karjat-Bhimashankar region is marked as an eco-sensitive zone. Its unique biome not only conserves endangered species but also supports the livelihoods of thousands who rely on its rich natural resources. Altering these landscapes means not only an ecological disaster but the potential loss of traditional livelihoods.
The Torrent Hydro Project currently sanctioned in this area threatens irreparable harm to the environment. We believe that development and conservation can coexist, and thus propose an immediate halt to all tree felling and clearing activities in this region. We urge the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, and local governmental bodies to consider relocating the project to less sensitive areas, ensuring a sustainable development model.
Experts in biodiversity conservation and local NGOs have voiced concerns backed by statistics; deforestation in sensitive zones like these contributes extensively to climate change, impacting weather patterns and agricultural rhythms critical to India’s food security.
The time to act is now! Protecting our natural heritage and adopting models of sustainable development can secure the future for generations to come. We urge you to lend your voice, strong and clear, to this cause. Stand with us to save the Sahyadri Forests and protect the irreplaceable ecosystem of the Western Ghats. Please sign this petition to show your support.
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Petition created on 25 October 2026