Solar project near Gir sanctuary on hold: Officials | Latest India News

Ahmedabad: In the first week of January, the Gujarat government decided to stop a 25 MW solar power project proposed by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) group near Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. The decision followed concerns expressed by conservationists and wildlife advocates over its impact on the last natural habitat of the Asiatic lion, a senior state government official said.

“After carefully assessing the pros and cons of the project at the highest levels of government, we have decided to withhold approval of the project and put it on hold for now,” the official added, requesting anonymity.

A senior forest department official noted that while large-scale solar PV installations are usually not allowed in eco-sensitive zones, this project was initially considered an exception. However, he added that the project’s creators are currently exploring alternative locations.

“NTPC recently proposed solar projects with a total capacity of 200 MW to the Gujarat government. Of this amount, a 25 MW project has been planned for Ghodasan village, part of the Asian Lion Corridor connecting Gir to Girnar, which has been included in the draft eco-sensitive zone notification. The remaining 175 MW has been planned for Surendranagar and Dahod districts, apart from the lion habitat,” said another forest department official.

He added that the forest department’s approval of the project was delayed by about two months, prompting NTPC to consider shifting the 25 MW project to another location.

The PSU had initially proposed a 60 MW project in the eco zone around Gir, seeking 125 hectares of land. However, opposition from wildlife experts and environmentalists led to the project’s capacity being reduced to 25 MW and about 40 hectares occupied.

An NTPC official, when contacted, refused to comment on the matter.

The government recently published draft guidelines for eco-sensitive zones near the lion reserve to increase habitat protection. But critics say the state is also pushing for large-scale commercial projects in the same areas.

Some political leaders accuse the government of selectively applying environmental rules – enforcing them rigorously on local residents while relaxing them for corporate gain.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Pravin Ram recently criticized the government at a rally near Junagadh for allowing a solar project in the Lion Corridor despite a 2011 notification banning commercial activities in the area. He questioned the government’s priorities, stating: “When farmers protest about threats to their livelihoods from the ecological zone, the government talks about protecting the environment and protecting lions. But isn’t dedicating vast swathes of land to solar energy projects harming lions and conservation efforts?”

Bhushan Pandya, former member of the state wildlife board and veteran wildlife photographer, recently wrote to the Gujarat chief minister, stressing the importance of protecting wildlife corridors, including villages and farmlands, as key habitats. He informed that the forest department has already submitted negative reports on this project twice.

Rajya Sabha legislator Parimal Nathwani, a lion enthusiast, expressed his concerns on social media, stating that the solar project would hamper the movement of Asiatic lions and urged both the state and central governments to stop the project.

Mulu Bera, Gujarat forest and environment minister, could not be reached for comment.

Environmentalists and wildlife conservationists argue that such projects could disrupt wildlife corridors necessary for the movement and survival of Asiatic lions, which are already at risk of habitat loss. According to the latest census, the population of Asiatic lions increased from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020. However, the 1,412 sq km Gir reserve has only about 300-325 lions and the remaining population lives in the surrounding corridors.

Jalpan Rupapara and Purvesh Kacha, doctors and wildlife experts with over two decades of experience in lion conservation, highlighted the risks associated with large-scale solar projects in critical areas of Gir. They noted that such projects require the removal of vegetation, which has an adverse impact on herbivores and their predators. They also cited past examples where solar projects led to increased conflicts between humans and wildlife.

In August, the Amreli Collector’s Office demolished illegally installed solar panels by Dhari Solar Park Pvt Ltd in an eco-sensitive zone near the Gir Sanctuary. The company installed the panels without required permits, occupying over 4,19,028 square meters of land.

Read also: Solar panels destroyed in an eco-sensitive zone near the Gir Lion Reserve

In accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, small renewable energy projects are allowed in ecologically sensitive zones for the benefit of local communities and environmentally friendly tourism. However, large-scale projects that may have potential environmental impacts need to be regulated.

Officials confirmed that at least three large solar project proposals in the region have been put on hold over the past six months.