India, Oct. 27 -- Three of the six villages that are jointly set to lose over 32,000 trees for the Gujarat-based Torrent Power's 3,000-MW hydroelectric project in Karjat fall under the eco-sensitive Western Ghats draft notification. HT has seen the names of the three villages-Dhak, Potal and Saidongar-in the draft notification.

While no rules restrict tree felling in these villages until the draft notification is finalised, NGO Vanashakti has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking revocation of the project. "Your ministry (MoEFCC) has dragged its feet for over 16 years for finalising the Ecologically Sensitive Areas of the Western Ghats. The reasons for this delay are not hard to comprehend. We are shocked to see that three ...