Floating solar
project stopped
Goa had planned to generate 197 megawatt of renewable energy through floating solar panels (FSP) in Selaulim, Amthane, Anjunem and Chapoli.
The proposal was submitted in Jan 2024 by the Centre’s SJVN Green Energy Ltd (SGEL) and it had asked the State to invest Rs 1,300 crore. The SGEL and Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) had carried out the feasibility studies and conducted preliminary investigations. Recently, the Water Resources Department (WRD) held back the funds citing “ecological risks” (TGE April 3).
These pertained to the effect on water surface, reduced penetration of sunlight into the water, possible contamination, etc. For the last issue, the SGEL had suggested using FSP of high-density polyethylene as it is inert, non-toxic resistant to ultraviolet rays and withstands harsh environmental conditions. The GEDA had asked the WRD to carry out environmental studies through any national institute and check the impact, if any, but the WRD refused!
Goa’s WRD should be aware of the world’s largest 600 MW FSP project in Omkareshwar Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh and FSP in Telangana (100 MW), Andhra Pradesh (25 MW), Kerala (92 MW), Jharkhand (100 MW) and Uttar Pradesh (150 MW). The SGEL would be commissioning a 15 MW project at Nangal Dam Reservoir (Punjab).
On April 1, the Supreme Court admonished an NGO that objected to an FSP project at Jayakwadi Dam (Sambhaji Nagar district, Maharashtra), a bird sanctuary and an eco-sensitive zone, by the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation. The NGO approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) claiming that the project would affect the birds, the biodiversity and pollute the water. The NGT rejected the petition as the NGO could not show any law that barred installing FSP in an eco-sensitive zone. The SC bench supported the NGT and said that nowadays it has become a practice to challenge projects on the grounds of “irreparable harm to the environment”.
Considering the above cases and because RNE is Centre’s mandate and crucial, Goa’s Chief Minister and the Minister for New and RNE should direct the WRD to soon release the funds for the prestigious project that would also create jobs. Some bureaucrats cannot hold the State to ransom under the pretext of “ecological risks,” and throw a spanner in the works. Mining, fishing, agriculture etc, do involve environmental changes, but these have never stopped developments or occupations in any State or country.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Dangerous open drains
It was a tragedy waiting to happen. A two-year boy from Rumdamol-Davorlim was reportedly found dead in a storm water drain after he allegedly fell into it, while playing near his residence on Monday evening.
The body was found floating in the drain which was overflowing with wastewater. The boy was the only child of the parents. An inquest panchanama was conducted by the police and the body was subsequently referred for post-mortem examination.
The question that arises is who should be held accountable for the tragedy? It must be said that open drains pose an open danger to public health as it can spread water-borne disease and also vector-borne diseases through breeding of mosquitoes. However, open drains also pose danger as people can fall into them, especially little children and elderly persons.
Open drains are a common sight across the State be it in the cities and villages. During heavy showers in the monsoon season the roads get flooded as a result of which these open drains cannot be detected. The civic bodies and village panchayats should see to it that all the open gutters are covered by concrete slabs before the onset of the monsoon.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Declining bird population
Birds are facing a steady decline in their population due to various factors, such as exposed electrical wires, mobile towers, and poor management by the authorities concerned, in several parts of the world.
In India, one of the primary reasons for bird fatalities is exposed electrical wires that can cause fatal injuries to birds due to high voltage and lack of protective measures. Additionally, mobile towers pose a significant threat to birds flying at high altitudes, as they can collide with the high-voltage machinery near these towers.
Developed countries such as Germany and the Netherlands have implemented underground electrical systems, significantly reducing the risk of harm to any living creature. India must also take strict action against exposed wires, internet towers, and poor management by authorities.
We must collectively work towards safeguarding nature’s beauty and preserving the existence of these magnificent creatures. We can also help by keeping small pots filled with water outside our homes and leaving out some grains daily on our terraces for birds flying long distances, especially during summer when the heat is unbearable.
We can also keep pots for them to build small nests which will help in increasing the bird population.
Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai