Villagers Oppose Ntpc’s Mega Solar Plant In Kutch | Rajkot News – Times of India

[ad_1]

Times News Network
Rajkot: Sarpanches of various gram panchayats, camel and cattle breeders, bird watchers and environment activists came together to oppose National Thermal Power Corporation’s proposed solar project, which they claim is in the vicinity of the Chari Dhand wetland conservation reserve. All unequivocally voiced their concerns for the many migratory birds which live off the wetland and camels and other animals that feeds there.
A meeting of around 200 people was organized last week, in which it was decided to form a committee which will include sarpanchs, camel breeders, bird watchers and environment activists to oppose the project. NTPC is ready to install a solar park in 600 acre land near this wetland.
As per activists, this wetland is home to thousands of migratory birds, including flamingos. Kharai camel, which is a unique breed and can swim and also considered to be a endangered species, feed on the vegetation of this land for five to six months of the year.
Sarpanchs of nearby villages including Tharvada, Palanpur, Godhiyar, Muru, Deshalpar-Guntlai, Nirona, Ukheda etc have declared their support to agitation against the proposed park.
The Nakhatrana group Panchayat’s coordinator Iqubal Ghanchi said, “Lakhs of cattle are dependent upon the vegetation and grass of Chari Dhand. This earns them crores of rupees in revenue. This wetland should not be handed over to the industry.”
Narottam Ahir, sarpanch of Nirona village questioned, “Thousands of flamingos come to the wetland every year after travelling a long distance. How can we become so insensitive towards these birds?”
Activists are apprehensive that the solar park will adversely impact the natural habitat of birds and animals in the region.
When contacted, district collector Amit Arora said, “The project is still under consideration at the government level.”
We also published the following articles recently

Nisar will aid understand forests & wetlands better: JPL
The Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) satellite, set to launch in 2024, will provide researchers with unprecedented insights into Earth’s forests and wetlands. The mission aims to understand how changes in these ecosystems affect the global carbon cycle and climate change. Nisar will scan the Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days and collect critical data on forests and wetlands, which play crucial roles in capturing and releasing carbon. The satellite’s radar technology will track land-cover changes and help study the impact of deforestation on the carbon cycle. Nisar will also aid in the study of rainforests, geological events, and climate-related phenomena such as melting glaciers and sea ice.
Sambhajinagar sarpanch damages activist Gunratna Sadavarte’s vehicles in Mumbai
Mangesh Sable, the sarpanch of Gevraipaiga village, and two of his supporters were detained for damaging vehicles belonging to lawyer Gunratna Sadavarte. Sable admitted that he targeted Sadavarte’s vehicles due to the lawyer’s opposition to reservation for the Maratha community. However, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange distanced himself from Sable’s actions. Sable and his aides were later released. Sadavarte blamed Jarange for the attack and warned of further action if the government failed to address such incidents. Jarange denied any involvement and condemned the violence.
Nasa-Isro radar mission to provide dynamic view of forests, wetlands
The Nisar radar satellite mission, a joint endeavor between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to study the impact of changes in Earth’s forest and wetland ecosystems on the carbon cycle and climate change. By scanning Earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days, Nisar will provide detailed insights into forests and wetlands, which play a crucial role in regulating greenhouse gases. The mission will help researchers understand the capture and release of carbon in these ecosystems, contributing to a better understanding of global carbon emissions and their impact on climate change. Additionally, Nisar will monitor wetland flooding and its relationship with greenhouse gas release, providing valuable information for wetland ecosystem management. The satellite is scheduled to launch in early 2024.



[ad_2]

Source link