(a) whether the Government has identified any environmental risk regarding renewable energy projects especially wind mills;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any study has been conducted in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details and outcome thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (d): A study titled “Development Impact and Sustainable Governance aspects of Renewable Energy Projects” commissioned by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has observed that: -
(i) The environment and social impacts of the wind and solar farms are negligible and the renewable projects don’t have long term irreversible impact on the local environment;
(ii) Renewable energy projects have significant positive social impacts; and
(iii) Sufficient environmental and social governance mechanism is in place, and no new changes are required in the legal framework or the governance structure to mitigate or manage the environmental and social impacts from renewable energy.
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