Concern raised over proposed 50-MW wind farm near Greater Flamingo Sanctuary in Dhanushkodi

A proposal to establish a 50-MW demonstration wind farm in Dhanushkodi in Rameswaram taluk has drawn concern from local residents and environmentalists over possible ecological impacts on the fragile coastal ecosystem and the nearby Greater Flamingo Sanctuary.

The project, proposed by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, aims to set up four wind turbines with associated facilities and a jetty for logistics and research. The Dhanushkodi site, classified under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) categories IB, II, and IVA, has been identified as a test location for offshore wind energy research under India’s 2015 Offshore Wind Energy Policy.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Ramanathapuram District Coastal Zone Management Authority (DCZMA) held in 2024. Project representatives explained that the facility was intended as a research and demonstration platform to support the development of offshore wind technology in Indian conditions. They said the project would supply renewable power to Rameswaram and generate local employment opportunities.

However, local fishing community representatives, including Nallathambi and Rayappan, raised strong objections during the meeting, saying the project site overlaps with fish breeding areas and turtle nesting grounds and lies close to wetlands frequented by migratory birds such as flamingos between December and March. They cautioned that the proposed jetty and turbines could disturb marine life and affect the livelihoods of fishing communities.

District forest officials also noted that the project report did not account for turtle nesting sites already notified by the Tamil Nadu government, and pointed out concerns as flamingos visited the site between December and March. They recommended that a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be carried out, covering seagrass beds, coral reefs, sea horses, and underwater noise levels.

In a recent representation to the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority, environmentalist K. Saravanan reiterated these concerns, warning that the wind farm’s proximity to the Greater Flamingo Sanctuary could pose risks to bird populations through collision and habitat disturbance. He urged that the CRZ clearance be reconsidered to safeguard the sanctuary.

The DCZMA had decided to forward the proposal to the State Coastal Zone Management Authority for consideration under the CRZ Notification, 2011, subject to several conditions, including preparation of a detailed EIA, protection of marine breeding areas, and prior clearance from the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board.

A.R. Rahul Nadh, Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority, said the Authority had sought additional inputs from the Ramanathapuram Collector regarding the project. He noted that the proposal would not be placed for appraisal until the technical review was completed and added that all environmental and social implications would be carefully evaluated before any clearance is considered.