Ahmedabad: The National Green Tribunal ’s western zone bench has admitted a plea raising environmental concerns over a wind-solar hybrid renewable energy project near Chhari Dhand in Kutch and issued notices to the Centre, Gujarat govt and other respondents, including NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd .




The Pune bench, comprising judicial member Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, observed that a “substantial question relating to environment” had been made out in the application. The matter has been posted for further consideration on Oct 28.




The application, filed by Narotam Ahir and others, seeks setting aside of permissions granted for the project on Survey No. 60/Part-1 of Fulay village in Nakhatrana taluka of Kutch. The applicants contended that the project site was adjacent to Chhari Dhand Conservation Reserve , a Ramsar site, and fell within its zone of influence.




According to the tribunal order, approximately 512 hectares have been allotted to NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd on a 40-year lease for the project. The applicants alleged that work to build roads had commenced and grasslands had been cleared without forest clearance.




The order stated that Chhari Dhand was notified as Gujarat’s first conservation reserve on June 16, 2008, and designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on June 16, 2025. The applicants also relied on a Bombay Natural History Society report, which raised concerns about the project’s potential impact on bird roosting, feeding and breeding activities in the area.




The NGT bench noted that the applicability of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, would be determined at the time of final hearing. It directed the respondents to file their replies within four weeks.




The applicants also sought interim relief, but the tribunal said it would consider the plea after hearing the respondents.