India’s ambitious drive to expand its renewable energy capacity has brought hundreds of wind turbines to the deserts around Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, creating one of the country’s largest onshore wind farms. These whirring turbines are critical to India’s quest to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. However, the local communities living in the shadow of these towering structures argue that their livelihoods have been severely impacted, according to a report by AFP.
The rapid construction of these wind farms has led to the loss of grazing lands and the destruction of sacred groves known as "orans," which have been preserved by the local community for centuries. These oases are vital for collecting water, essential for the livestock that sustain the herders' economy. However, herders like Nena Ram lament that heavy construction vehicles have damaged these water sources, leading to reduced grasslands and further desertification.
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India, the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, is grappling with the increasing frequency of heatwaves, floods, and droughts, which climate scientists attribute to rising global temperatures. In response, the nation is accelerating its shift to renewable energy, aiming to increase its non-fossil fuel capacity to 500 GW by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Wind energy is a key component of this strategy, with Rajasthan alone capable of contributing five gigawatts (GW) of wind power to the national grid.
Yet, the villagers who have lived in harmony with the Thar Desert for generations feel they are bearing the brunt of this green energy transition. Many turbines are owned by major Indian conglomerates, including the Adani Group and Suzlon, which assert their commitment to supporting the communities affected by the wind farms. Suzlon claims to provide "sustainable development" through health, education, and livestock support projects, while Adani says it is "deeply committed" to community welfare, offering support for schools and clean water programmes.
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Despite these claims, local farmers are discontented, arguing that the turbines were constructed on community grazing lands without adequate compensation. They also face frequent power cuts, even as the electricity generated by the wind farms is channelled to meet the growing demands of industrial centres and large cities. These power outages are particularly unbearable during the scorching summer months, when temperatures in the region can reach 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
The environmental impact of the wind farms is also a significant concern. Environmental activists argue that the desert, far from being a barren wasteland, is a rich ecosystem home to diverse species, including the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard. The once-common giant brown-and-white birds are now on the brink of extinction, with just 150 remaining nationwide. The installation of wind turbines and the overhead power lines crisscrossing the desert have increased the mortality rate of these birds, as they frequently collide with the wires.
In 2021, India’s Supreme Court ordered that power lines be buried underground in key bird breeding zones to protect the Great Indian Bustard. However, the government successfully petitioned to overturn the decision, arguing that it would impede the country’s renewable energy targets. The villagers have since erected a memorial for the bird, symbolised by a statue of a lone bustard, standing as a poignant reminder of the environmental cost of India’s green energy ambitions.
As India continues its rapid expansion of renewable energy, rising from 76 GW to 203 GW in the past decade, the challenges faced by communities like those in Jaisalmer highlight the complex balance between national energy goals and local livelihoods. The voices of these desert herders serve as a critical reminder that the transition to clean energy must consider the social and environmental impacts on those who live closest to the land.
