Efforts to expand solar energy in India and Bangladesh are facing significant hurdles due to land conflicts. Local communities, particularly those reliant on agriculture, are concerned about losing essential land to renewable energy projects, putting their livelihoods at risk.
In India, there are currently 25 land disputes linked to renewable energy impacting over 30,000 people, according to Land Conflict Watch. Farmers and pastoral communities are actively opposing solar projects that encroach on public grazing lands, leading to legal challenges and delays.
Similarly, in Bangladesh, fragmented land ownership complicates efforts to consolidate enough space for solar installations. Local protests have led to the cancellation of projects, as communities fear the loss of productive agricultural land, vital for their economy and food security.
(With inputs from agencies.)