India:Forest land diverted for wind energy projects

Adivasis in Dhule district, Maharashtra, are protesting the diversion of forest land for wind power projects. About 340 hectares of forest land has been diverted for wind energy projects in Sakri taluka of Dhule district, promoted by Suzlon Energy Limited.

With the passing of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006, adivasis in Dhule as in other parts of the country were hopeful that the land they were tilling for years would be regularised in their names. In 1982, the first petition on regularising forest land in the name of adivasis was filed from Dhule by Karan Singh Kokani in the Supreme Court. Today Karan Singh, secretary of the Satyashodhak Gramin Kashtakari Sabha, says instead of giving adivasis the land, the government has allotted it to a private company.
In November 2005, the Maharashtra revenue and forests department had recommended the diversion of 127.94 hectares of forest land for the construction of wind power projects. This envisaged the installation of 100 wind turbines of 1.25 MW each in Dhule district. The government contended that there was availability of non-forest land for compensatory afforestation, and after the project was completed, about 6,000 skilled mandays and 28,000 unskilled mandays would be generated. The project would address the overall power shortage in the district. The land in question was also not part of any protected area.

The State government also sought the approval of another 212.52 hectares of forest land for constructing a 225 MW wind power project in favour of Suzlon energy limited. Dhule forest department sources said the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) approved the diversion of forest land last year. It later set some conditions that included minimum tree felling, no danger to flora and fauna. The Ministry even suggested that medicinal plants be grown in the area under the wind power projects. The land has been given on a 30-year lease to the company. While the Dhule forest department contends that very little of the diverted land is under “encroachment,” Mr. Dhamale said that this was not the issue.

When the Act passed last year gives rights to forest dwellers, why does the government give preference to a private company, he asked. He also said hundreds of trees were being felled to install the wind turbines. The forest department has denied this.

The Hindu