PUNE: Several environmentalists have raised concerns about the protection of environment and biodiversity as the State government recently released a notification for carrying out planned development in the areas around Mahabaleshwar to boost tourism.

Around 52 villages in three talukas are a part of the project ‘New Mahabaleshwar’, which will be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) as the ‘special planning authority’. 

“This is the third time that the State government has tried to bring in this project in the past 15 years. We will continue to oppose it,” said a statement released by an organisation of environmentally aware citizens from Satara and surrounding areas. 

Shrinivas Varunjikar, who is the convener of the organisation, said, “The stretch from Tapola village in Jawali taluka in Satara to the wall of Koyna Dam has been on the hit list of the politicians for the past three decades. This is nothing but another attempt to commercialise the area and destroy the nature there in the process.”

“Several villages in the area such as Tapola, Gogave, Apti, Bamnoli, Shembdi, Andhari and others, along with the core area of Koyna Dam, are rich in biodiversity. The new development plan might be a threat to the existence of all these elements,” the statement further said.

Dr Sanjeev Nalawade said, “The said area does not fall under the eco-sensitive zone of Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani. The names of all these 52 villages are not known yet. Once the exact area is fixed, we can study to assess the possible damage to the environment.”

Sarang Yadwadkar questioned that, “There are several factors that would need to be considered here. The government has insisted that the environment would not be compromised. But is MSRDC capable of doing that?”