India, Oct. 3 -- The National Green Energy Limited's (NGEL) plan to construct a floating solar park to generate electricity on a part of the Jayakwadi dam in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, in Marathwada, has provoked stiff opposition from environmentalists. NGEL is a central government body. The project was cleared by the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL), in April, followed by an expert advisory committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in September.

Jayakwadi is the largest earthen dam in Asia and a vital water source in Marathwada.

The dam, spread over 33,932 hectares which includes the water reservoir and its surrounding forest, was declared a bird sanctuary in 1986, as nearly 269 varietie...