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

A proposal to determine 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 undertaking, proposed by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) underneath 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, categorised underneath Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) classes IB, II, and IVA, has been recognized as a check location for offshore wind power analysis underneath 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 help the event of offshore wind expertise in Indian situations. They stated the undertaking would provide renewable energy to Rameswaram and generate native employment alternatives.

However, native fishing group representatives, together with Nallathambi and Rayappan, raised sturdy objections in the course of the assembly, saying the undertaking web site overlaps with fish breeding areas and turtle nesting grounds and lies near wetlands frequented by migratory birds equivalent 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 undertaking report didn’t account for turtle nesting websites already notified by the Tamil Nadu authorities, and identified considerations as flamingos visited the positioning between December and March. They advisable {that a} detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be carried out, protecting 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 fowl populations by 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 underneath the CRZ Notification, 2011, topic to a number of situations, 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 relating to the undertaking. He famous that the proposal wouldn’t be positioned for appraisal till the technical evaluation was accomplished and added that each one environmental and social implications could be rigorously evaluated earlier than any clearance is taken into account.