In January 2018, the first phase of Shakti Sthala Solar Power Park was commissioned in Pavagada, Tumkur district of Karnataka. Spread over 13,000 acres, the 2 GW project is claimed to be India's biggest solar power park, and second biggest in the world. The project became fully operational in December 2019.
The land on which the solar park stands has been leased from 1,948 farmers who were made to part with their land by retired government revenue officials who belonged to the region and were respected by the people**. While some find this way of getting hold of land to be unique, researchers claim it bypasses the need for conducting social impact assessments and public hearings. This is something which is a mandatory requirement if the lands were acquired under the LARR Act, 2015. **
Many of these leased-out farmlands served as grazing areas or traditional pathways for other grazing grounds where herding communities would take their livestock for grazing. Setting up of the plant prevented them from accessing those areas, affecting their livelihoods. Community members claimed that women were not consulted during the leasing of land, even though they farmed those lands. Neither did they find any jobs in the solar park after it was set up.
LCW spoke with a farmer, Ashok Naidu, who had leased out 40 acres of his land for the park, to find out about his experience. Naidu said that the Solar Park venture had not kept its word of providing 8000 jobs to the community, with priority to the families whose lands are leased for the park. So far, only 800 to 1000 jobs (security guards mostly with a low salary) have been provided to only a few men in the community. He said that he and other community members had come together many times to protest and ask for the jobs that were promised to prevent the outward migration of the community.
Greenery has also been a problem, he pointed out. "There is no greenery since the park has come, leading to drastic changes in the temperature of Pavagada. The authorities of the park had promised to restore 10 % to 30 % of the greenery but had not kept its word."
He informed LCW that he has been receiving Rs 21,000 per acre per year for his land. This amount is increased by Rs 1050, every two years. He says that this amount is not enough for him and his family. In 2015, when he gave his land away, there were many challenges faced by agriculture, in terms of water so he thought the only way was to lease his land. But now he feels trapped with no job opportunities in his village.
LCW also spoke with Sheshadri Rao, a researcher with the Indian Institute of Science. In his view, the current mode of leasing out land from farmers was a fair arrangement because it helps the farmer earn a higher and more stable income as agriculture in the region is becoming increasingly unpredictable. He says in today's context the lease amount is six times more than the best profit a farmer can make per acre per year. He further emphasises that the lease model keeps the farmer's right to sell his land secure. However, he too felt that locking the land in 40 year leases may not be completely fair to the farmers. It may also have some consequences on the socio-cultural aspects of the villages of the area.
As of May 2023, community members continue to await the jobs that were promised to them.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Demand for employment
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Private
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Grazing, Agricultural land
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
14800
Type of investment:
Investment Made
Year of Estimation
2016
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
No
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL)
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation (KSPDCL), Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI),
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Tata Power Renewable Energy, Re New Power, Fortum Solar, Avaada Energy, SoftBank (SB) Energy, Adani Green Energy, ACME Solar, Azure Power and Rattan India
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Nayantara is a developmental practitioner, researcher, and journalist who works in the field of community conservation. Her interest lies in understanding how traditional knowledge systems can be integrated into current developmental policies and practices to ensure the future sustenance of forest communities, coastal communities, agricultural communities, and pastoralists- and their role in safeguarding the ecosystems they depend on.
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