NGO urges T.N. to make environmental clearance mandatory for large-scale solar projects

NGO Poovulagin Nanbargal calls for mandatory environmental clearance for large solar projects to protect agricultural lands in Tamil Nadu.

Environmental organisation Poovulagin Nanbargal has urged the Tamil Nadu government to make environmental clearance mandatory for large-scale solar power projects, stating that the rapid expansion of ground-mounted solar parks is increasingly encroaching on agricultural and grazing lands.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organisation referred to the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s September 2025 report, Solar PV Potential of India – Ground Mounted, which estimates that India can generate 3,343 GW of solar power by utilising 27,571 sq. km. of largely arid and wasteland areas. 

The assessment excludes agricultural land, forests, and eco-sensitive zones. In Tamil Nadu, where 58.27% of land is under agriculture and only 10.44% is classified as wasteland or dry land, the report estimates a potential of 204.7 GW from non-agricultural lands alone. The State’s current installed solar capacity is 10.15 GW.

However, the organisation alleged that in practice, several large solar projects are being set up on fertile farmlands and grazing commons, triggering protests in districts including Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Pudukkottai, Theni, Thoothukudi, Dindigul, Mayiladuthurai, and Tiruvarur. 

Poovulagin Nanbargal noted that under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, solar projects initially required prior environmental clearance, but were exempted in 2011 by the Union Environment Ministry on the grounds of lower emissions and water use. 

Even so, State Pollution Control Boards were expected to ensure that projects were not located on wetlands, agricultural land or eco-sensitive areas before granting consent. However, due procedures are often bypassed, the organisation said, adding that private companies are attempting to install large solar arrays on cultivable land without proper approvals.