Ladakh To Start Livestock-Grazing Solar Project On Pilot Basis

Ladakh To Start Livestock-Grazing Solar Project On Pilot Basis

In a recent meeting aimed at building local stakeholders’ confidence in the upcoming mega solar power project at Pang, government officials decided to formalize an action plan to create a pilot solar project in the Pang area of Ladakh.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Vikram Singh Malik, IAS, Administrative Secretary of the Power Development & New and Renewable Energy Department, Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, with officials from SECI, Powergrid, and DIHAR, to formalize the action plan for creating a livestock-grazing-friendly pilot solar project in the Pang area.

During the meeting, the Secretary directed the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to initiate work on the project’s modalities, with a specific focus on adjusting the height of the solar panels so that nomadic herders can freely graze their livestock beneath the panels without disruption. The Secretary also instructed the Revenue Department officials to identify a suitable 2-hectare plot of land in the Pang area and carry out a joint survey with all stakeholders within the next 15 days. SECI has, in principle, agreed to undertake the project.

The Secretary of PDD asked SECI to expedite the necessary paperwork so that work on the pilot project can begin in the next working season.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Chief Engineer of the Power Development Department (PDD), the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Leh, senior officers from PDD and LREDA, scientists from DIHAR, as well as representatives from SECI and PowerGrid.

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