- Residents in India’s Thar Desert are protesting the impact of wind turbines, claiming they have lost grazing land and suffered from environmental damage.
- While wind farms in Rajasthan contribute significantly to India’s renewable energy goals, local communities face frequent power cuts and economic hardship.
In India’s Thar Desert, the wind turbines generating critical green energy for the country cast a shadow of discontent among local communities. Despite their role in India’s push to increase renewable energy and combat climate change, residents argue that these projects’ environmental and social costs are high.
The Thar Desert, particularly in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, hosts one of India’s largest onshore wind farms. The region’s wind turbines contribute significantly to India’s renewable energy capacity, with Rajasthan alone capable of providing up to five gigawatts (GW) of wind power.
However, the construction of these turbines has sparked protests from local herders and farmers who say their traditional way of life has been disrupted. Nena Ram, a 65-year-old livestock herder, described the impact of the wind turbines on his life and community.
The large-scale projects have led to the loss of grazing lands and damage to sacred groves, vital for water collection and livestock. Heavy construction has also harmed desert oases, which are crucial for the region’s water supply.
Local complaints extend beyond environmental degradation. Farmers report that their land has been seized for wind farms, resulting in reduced milk production and economic hardship. Power cuts are frequent, with villagers experiencing outages that last for days while the energy produced by the turbines often benefits industrial centres and urban areas far from their homes.
Indian companies, including the Adani Group and Suzlon, own many turbines. Both companies assert they are committed to supporting local communities through initiatives like health, education, and water projects. However, villagers argue that these efforts do not compensate for losing their land and resources.
Environmental activists also express concern about the impact on local wildlife. The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, a revered species, faces increased mortality due to collisions with power lines. In 2021, the Supreme Court mandated that power lines be placed underground in key bird breeding zones, but this decision was later overturned due to concerns about hindering renewable energy targets.
As India strives to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, the tension between renewable energy expansion and local impacts remains a pressing issue. Villagers in the Thar Desert continue to struggle with the repercussions of this energy transition, questioning the balance between national climate goals and their immediate well-being.