Green groups flag risks in proposed solar plant near Sambhar Lake

Jaipur: Environmentalists have criticised the proposed 100 MW solar power project near Sambhar Lake, warning that even a relatively small installation could disturb the fragile wetland ecosystem.

The Rajasthan High Court recently granted permission for the project in Nagaur district near Sambhar Lake, subject to safeguards aimed at protecting migratory birds and preserving their natural habitat.

However, environmentalists and experts said the project could pose an ecological threat to the Sambhar region — an internationally recognised wetland under the Ramsar Convention — and may open the door to similar projects in the future.

IUCN member and researcher Dau Lal Bohra said, “Sambhar Lake supports over 80-97 species of resident and migratory birds, including breeding species. The lake is also known for large congregations of flamingos that depend on its ecosystem for feeding and nesting. A solar project in such a sensitive zone could lead to disturbance due to land clearing, infrastructure development and human activity. Ground-nesting birds are particularly vulnerable to such disruptions.”

Another researcher, Sharddha Vyas, said, “There is also the potential for microclimatic impact from solar panels. Large arrays can absorb and re-radiate heat, increasing surface temperatures and creating a localised warming effect, which may affect eggs, chicks and wetland vegetation.”

Experts further warned that such changes could influence evapotranspiration and local atmospheric processes, potentially altering rainfall patterns. Reduced precipitation, combined with higher evaporation, could lower the lake’s water levels over time. This, in turn, may degrade aquatic habitats and reduce food availability for birds, impacting both biodiversity and the ecological balance of the wetland.

A senior forest official familiar with the matter said the land in question is neither classified as a wetland nor part of the salt-producing area and does not fall within the lake’s buffer zone. The site is located around 2.5 km from the lake, with residential and commercial establishments in between.

Green lawyer Tapeshwar Singh Bhati said, “Any disturbance in the movement of birds and in a wetland of international importance will have long-term impacts. The state earlier proposed a conservation plan for the lake, but nothing concrete has been implemented on the ground. The state should take the initiative to ensure that such projects do not damage the ecology.”