NGT Reviews Floating Solar Project at Jayakwadi Dam

A Floating Solar Power Project at Jayakwadi Dam has come under scrutiny after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) called for a thorough examination of the proposed Project at Jayakwadi Dam, following mounting environmental concerns. The dam is located in Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra.

The tribunal has instructed the Union Environment Ministry and the State Forest Department to submit a detailed report on the project’s compliance with eco-sensitive zone regulations and its potential environmental impacts, including risks of water pollution and ecological harm.

It may be noted that the Kahar Samaj Panch Committee, a registered public trust, recently filed a petition on 12th July 2024, against a project led by THDC India Ltd. (formerly Tehari Hydro Development Corporation Ltd.), an NTPC subsidiary, citing substantial environmental threats. 

The bench, led by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr. Vijay Kulkarni, has given respondents four weeks to respond. A hearing has been scheduled for September 9 to determine whether the case warrants further consideration.

Several environmental concerns have been raised regarding the proposed project. The site is said to be designated as both a Bird sanctuary and an Eco-Sensitive Zone. It should be noted that Jayakwadi Dam, located on the Godavari River in Maharashtra, creates the Nath Sagar Jalashay reservoir, a vast water body crucial for local biodiversity.

This reservoir spans approximately 55 km in length and 27 km in width, covering around 350 square kilometers.The total submergence area due to reservoir is about 36,000 hectares (89,000 acres), which has been declared a Wildlife Sanctuary, thereby making it a protected zone under environmental laws, according to the applicant.

Talking to Energetica India magazine, Advocate Asim Sarode, representing the Kahar Samaj Panch Committee, stated, "The dam cannot be used for the floating solar project because it is not just a dam; it supplies drinking water to Sambhajinagar in Aurangabad. The introduction of floating solar panels could make this water unsuitable for human consumption and will affect agriculture also."

He further noted, "The area is also designated as both a Bird Sanctuary and an Eco-Sensitive Zone, so the project must be cancelled regardless of who is involved. The environmental protections in place should take precedence over any development plans."

The applicant argues that the floating solar project threatens the ecological balance of this sensitive area. They contend that covering the dam’s surface with solar panels could significantly disrupt aquatic life. The panels might block sunlight, affecting the growth of aquatic plants and the oxygenation of the water, which could lead to the death of fish and other aquatic organisms.

Furthermore, the application argues that the project may violate established environmental regulations. It cites a Supreme Court directive from Writ Petition No. 406/2004, which emphasises the need to preserve Eco-Sensitive Zones around wildlife sanctuaries, suggesting that the project should not proceed in this protected area.

Dwelling on his experience with similar cases, Sarode remarked, “In 2014, a renowned firm was required to compensate for the environmental damage caused by installing wind turbines in a forested area by restoring the site to its original condition.”

However, it can be said that finding a balanced approach that addresses environmental concerns while advancing renewable energy goals is essential. By leveraging innovative solutions and maintaining rigorous environmental oversight, such projects could serve as a model for integrating green technology with environmental stewardship, benefiting both the local community and the broader objective of sustainable development.