Protests Erupt in India Over Ethanol Plant Water Concerns
Rural protests in India against ethanol plants reflect fears over water and land use amid growing energy demands. With a goal to blend 20% ethanol in petrol by 2025, opposition is rising as farmers worry about competition for resources.
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Protests have emerged across rural India against proposed ethanol plants, primarily due to concerns over water supply and land use. India has increased ethanol blending in petrol from 1% in 2014 to 20% in 2025, aiming to enhance energy security amid high oil import reliance.
Farmers in places like Tibbi, Rajasthan, have demonstrated against these projects, fearing depletion of water resources crucial for irrigation. Similar unrest is noted in Telangana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, as opposition grows against the lack of consultation in decision-making processes.
With projections indicating a need for an additional 4 to 8 million hectares for maize by 2030, competition for agricultural land intensifies, potentially impacting food security. As India pushes for biofuel expansion, the situation illustrates the risks of large-scale projects lacking local support.
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