Chronicle Reporter, Indore
Indore, known for its wetlands, is planning to install floating solar panels on its lakes. A feasibility survey, conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India, suggests a 20 MW solar power plant on Yashwant Sagar, with an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore.
However, environmentalists are strongly opposing the move, warning of severe ecological consequences. Yashwant Sagar, a crucial Ramsar site, is home to around 5,000 birds, including 150 cranes and over 70 species of migratory and local birds. Experts fear that human activity for solar panel maintenance will disturb this delicate habitat, causing birds to migrate.
Padma-awarded environmentalist Bhalu Mondhe stresses that Ramsar-listed sites should be left undisturbed. “Tampering with these natural ecosystems is a mistake,” he warns. Bird expert Ajay Gadikar echoes this, stating that construction will negatively impact bird populations, particularly cranes that rely on the lake for their lifecycle.
Despite these concerns, Smart City Company CEO Divyank Singh insists the project remains under review. “The feasibility survey has been completed, and the final decision will be taken in the upcoming board meeting,” he stated.
As Indore pushes for renewable energy, the debate continues—should sustainability come at the cost of biodiversity? Conservationists argue that protecting these wetlands is just as crucial as green energy initiatives.
