Government’s Plan to Install Floating Solar Panels on Lakes Raises Concerns
Lake activists and ecologists are hesitant about the government’s proposal to set up floating solar panels on 40 lakes in Karnataka. Minor Irrigation Minister N S Boseraju revealed this plan last week and will be consulting experts in August for further discussions.
N H Subramanian, a lake activist, questions the benefits of this project and worries about the impact on the aesthetics of lakes. Four lakes in Bengaluru have been selected for the installation, with the aim to reduce electricity costs for the lift irrigation system, which currently amounts to Rs 10-11 crore monthly.
Veena Srinivasan of WELL Labs suggests considering the purpose of the lakes and advocates for installing panels on irrigation canals instead. Ecologist Harini Nagendra also raises concerns about the widespread implementation on 40 lakes at once.
The government assures that only a small portion of each lake will be covered by panels and promises to address ecological concerns. However, critics are urging for a more cautious approach to avoid potential harm to the lakes’ ecosystems.
Published on 17 July 2024, 03:44 IST