Sayaji Shinde has been working for tree conservation and the creation of sacred groves (Devrai) for some time now. Various initiatives are being implemented by his foundation with the aim of planting trees at the local level, nurturing them, and preserving biodiversity.
Actor and environmentalist Sayaji Shinde has expressed his displeasure over the Forest Department’s stance regarding tree plantation. Sayaji Shinde, who works on tree plantation across various parts of Maharashtra through the ‘Sahyadri Devrai Foundation’, has now taken up the initiative to establish sacred groves in Eastern Vidarbha as well. However, as the Forest Department is citing rules and legal conditions for this work, he has raised several questions for the administration.
Some Gram Panchayats in Nagpur district expressed a desire to work with Sayaji Shinde’s foundation to develop sacred groves in their village vicinities. For this purpose, a request for land was made to the Forest Department. However, stating that the relevant land is a reserved forest area, the Forest Department took the position that permission for tree plantation cannot be granted at that location.
Upon this, Sayaji Shinde has now raised the question: Why are so many legal obstacles being created even for an initiative to plant trees and expand forests? His stance is that instead of cooperating with organizations taking the initiative for environmental conservation, regulations are being used to create hurdles.
The Bela Gram Panchayat in Nagpur district requested land near the village for a sacred grove. However, the Forest Department stated that the relevant land is a reserved forest area. According to Sayaji Shinde and his associates, there are actually no large trees on this land; instead, it is alleged that parts of it have been encroached upon for farming. Therefore, he raised the question that the authorities invoking rules for tree plantation should first address the encroachment on that land.
A few days ago, Sayaji Shinde met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding this issue. He had demanded that the Forest Department extend cooperation to the Devrai projects in Maharashtra. Following this, it was reported that the Chief Minister issued a letter directing District Collectors in the state to extend cooperation to his foundation according to rules. However, because the Forest Department continues to raise the issue of permissions and rules in some places despite this, Sayaji Shinde has expressed his disappointment.
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