Rajasthan News: Villagers Protest Alleged Burning & Burial Of Khejri Trees By Solar Firms In Barmer

Jaipur: People of Bariyada and Khodal villages of Shiv subdivision in Barmer have been protesting against the alleged cutting and burning of Khejri, the designated state tree of Rajasthan, for a couple of days.The MLA from Shiv constituency, Ravindra Singh Bhati, alleged that dry Khejri trees were burnt and wet wood was buried inside the ground. These trees have been buried for about one and a half kilometers by the solar companies.

The villagers alleged that the companies setting up their solar plants in this area are constructing a boundary wall on the leased land and cutting trees indiscriminately for the plant. Khejri trees are also being cut. The entire land on which the company is working is registered in the Khadin area (an area of desert where water fills up in the rain). During drought, this water is used by animals for drinking and for greenery.

Shiv MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati reached the dharna site in Bariyada-Khodal village on Sunday and spent the night there in protest against the companies cutting trees."Some solar companies are openly trampling the law in greed for profit. They are playing a cruel joke with the biodiversity of the state. Trees like Khejri are not only the cultural identity of Rajasthan but are also essential for the environmental balance of Thar. This will not be tolerated at any cost, "said Bhati.

Infact, the issue of cutting trees to set solar plants has been raised in this area for quite some time as the Thar Desert is known for maximum solar radiation, and many solar parks are being set in this area.

On the other hand, the National Solar Energy Federation had filed a complaint to CM Bhajan Lal Sharma alleging that the local MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati is creating obstacles in setting up renewable energy projects. The local people are being constantly instigated by him causing delay in setting up the projects.