Pune: Noting that forest lands are being acquired by the wind power industry on a large scale, an environment report has warned that the development can have an adverse impact on the local ecology.
Construction of roads in forest areas can cause ‘liner fragmentation’ resulting in soil erosion and also hindering migration of animals, the report prepared by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), noted.
Underlining the necessity of a mandatory environmental impact assessment (EAI), the study stated that the demand for forest land for wind power projects increased considerably during the last seven years with Maharashtra accounting for 31 percent of the allotted land.
According to the study, wind projects set up on forest land and hilly areas can have a greater impact on water resources and ecology as compared to those in plains.
Those projects situated near human settlement can have disturbing effect on the population with the noise and shadow flicker from the commercial wind turbines with a height of 100-150 meters.
Among animals, bats can be affected because of the changing air pressure around wind turbines, the report states.
Documenting environmental impact of wind projects in various parts of the country, it has also recommended sharing of benefits with the local population including the first right to the power generated by wind energy projects.
(Agencies)
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The report is baseless. First of all in states like Tamil Nadu most of the land is private and not under cultivation. Earlier there was a stipulation of distance between turbines (5 times diameter of the turbine) and behind the turbine (7 times the diameter of the turbine) approximately 20 acres per MW (because the first generation wind turbines were 55 KW in India). Now this rule has been relaxed and Wind turbine land is approximately 80 Sq. Meters. The land surrounding the tower of the wind turbine can be cultivated provided water is available . In Karnataka the Wind Turbine owners have to provide alternate land to protect and preserve the forest area. Wind is the most matured and age old technology. After all what is the extent of area used for Wind Farms compared to the Geographical Area in the region? Moreover now MW size wind turbines which are more advanced are in operation. When the land constraint is there for Wind Farms, there is more efficient way of harnessing Wind power through Offshore Wind Farms. Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India Wind Energy Expert E-mail: anumakonda.jagadeesh@gmail.com