Concern raised over proposed 50-MW wind farm close to Greater Flamingo Sanctuary in Dhanushkodi

A proposal to ascertain a 50-MW demonstration wind farm in Dhanushkodi in Rameswaram taluk has drawn concern from native residents and environmentalists over attainable ecological impacts on the delicate coastal ecosystem and the close by Greater Flamingo Sanctuary.

The mission, proposed by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) beneath the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, goals to arrange 4 wind generators with related services and a jetty for logistics and analysis. The Dhanushkodi web site, labeled beneath Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) classes IB, II, and IVA, has been recognized as a check location for offshore wind vitality analysis beneath India’s 2015 Offshore Wind Energy Policy.

The proposal was mentioned at a gathering of the Ramanathapuram District Coastal Zone Management Authority (DCZMA) held in 2024. Project representatives defined that the ability was meant as a analysis and demonstration platform to assist the event of offshore wind know-how in Indian circumstances. They stated the mission would provide renewable energy to Rameswaram and generate native employment alternatives.

However, native fishing group representatives, together with Nallathambi and Rayappan, raised sturdy objections through the assembly, saying the mission web site overlaps with fish breeding areas and turtle nesting grounds and lies near wetlands frequented by migratory birds similar to flamingos between December and March. They cautioned that the proposed jetty and generators may disturb marine life and have an effect on the livelihoods of fishing communities.

District forest officers additionally famous that the mission report didn’t account for turtle nesting websites already notified by the Tamil Nadu authorities, and identified considerations as flamingos visited the location between December and March. They beneficial {that a} detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be carried out, masking seagrass beds, coral reefs, sea horses, and underwater noise ranges.

In a current illustration to the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority, environmentalist Ok. Saravanan reiterated these considerations, warning that the wind farm’s proximity to the Greater Flamingo Sanctuary may pose dangers to chook populations by way of collision and habitat disturbance. He urged that the CRZ clearance be reconsidered to safeguard the sanctuary.

The DCZMA had determined to ahead the proposal to the State Coastal Zone Management Authority for consideration beneath the CRZ Notification, 2011, topic to a number of circumstances, together with preparation of an in depth EIA, safety of marine breeding areas, and prior clearance from the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board.

A.R. Rahul Nadh, Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority, stated the Authority had sought further inputs from the Ramanathapuram Collector concerning the mission. He famous that the proposal wouldn’t be positioned for appraisal till the technical assessment was accomplished and added that each one environmental and social implications can be rigorously evaluated earlier than any clearance is taken into account.