Sindh government has initiated work on Pakistan’s first floating solar project at Keenjhar Lake, the largest freshwater reservoir supplying water to Karachi.
The media reports claimed that the Rs 78 billion project, developed under a public-private partnership, aims to generate 500 megawatts of electricity, with boring work having already been completed at 18 locations near the shrine of Noori Jam Tamachi.
However, the project has drawn criticism from fishermen and environmental experts concerned about its potential impact on aquatic life and livelihoods.
Fishermen argue that the solar panels could harm the lake’s ecosystem, with toxic chemicals endangering fish and guest birds that seasonally visit the lake.
They fear thousands who depend on the lake for their livelihood could face significant losses.
Muhammad Anees, President of the Keenjhar Lake Conservation Network, stressed that while they do not oppose the project outright, the floating panels might disrupt the habitat of 45 bird species and aquatic life.
Environmentalist and former WWF manager for Keenjhar Lake, Ghulam Rasool Khatri, warned that shading from the panels could adversely affect fish worth millions and harm the lake’s ecosystem, likening the potential damage to the environmental degradation of Manchhar Lake.
The Sindh government, however, maintains that the project, covering only 5-6 percent of the lake, will not harm the environment or aquatic life.
Officials claim that on-site preparations will minimize interference with the ecosystem and avoid the use of harmful chemicals.
They assured that both the lake’s biodiversity and the arrival of migratory birds would remain unaffected by the development.
