Indian Nuclear Power Plant Sites

Where modern nuclear science and pristine environment share space

The exclusion zones

that surround the Indian

nuclear power plants are

blessed with a spectrum

of wildlife. Unlike fossil

fuel based power

production, nuclear power

is a clean-air technology

that doesn’t emit any

pollution and is friendly

to the environment.

Besides this inherent

strength, two things are

regularly happening in the

sites of Nuclear Power

Corporation of Indian

Limited (NPCIL) that

help the nature to

A view of Kaiga Generating Station in Western Ghats,

Karnataka

thrive. One, the habitats and wildlife in and around these sites are preserved and maintained

through an exclusive initiative called Environment Stewardship Programme (ESP). Two, more

ecosystems and habitats are developed to provide shelters to wildlife like birds and butterflies.

With these, plants flourish profusely, butterflies flit gleefully, birds wander enthusiastically,

and animals stroll calmly in the Indian nuclear power plant sites. More than 250 birds are seen

here. Kaiga, one of the NPCIL sites in Karnataka, alone has about 245 species of birds while 295

birds have been recorded in another NPCIL site Narora in Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, countless

butterflies exist in and around the Indian nuclear power plant sites as the plant life that provides

food to them are abundant here.

This photo feature gives you the glimpses of the biodiversity that bloom in the Indian nuclear

power sites.

Text and Nature Photos: J. Devaprakash

The author is a Manager (public awareness and press relations) at the Kudankulam Nuclear

Power Project, Tamilnadu. He writes about nuclear, nature and communication.

Ariel view of Kaiga Generating Station amidst the green forest in Western Ghats, Karnataka

A view of Kakarapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat

A view of Madras Atomic Power Station in Tamilnadu

A view of Narora Atomic Power Station in Uttar Pradesh

A Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus , one of the rarest birds in India, in its typical flight.

Photographed near Rajasthan Atomic Power Station in Rawatbhata.

Ecosystems around the Indian nuclear power plants also constitute several aquatic animals. Above, a

crocodile inside the exclusion zone of Narora Atomic Power Station in Uttar Pradesh.

A Golden Shower Tree Cassia Fistula at its full bloom in the exclusion zone of Kakrapar Atomic Power

Station in Gujarat.

A flock of Painted Storks in a lake near the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamilnadu.

Creation of butterfly gardens that provide safe shelter to butterflies are also part of ESP.

Above, a Tri-colour Flat butterfly sips nectar from the Jamaican Bluespike flower in the

butterfly garden established at Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Maharastra.

A Giant Wood Spider weaves its web. Photographed inside the exclusion zone of Kaiga Generating

Station in Karnataka.

A flock of Blue Bulls in the exclusion zone of Narora Atomic Power Station in Uttar Pradesh

A Brown-headed Gull, winter migrant from Central Asia, is seen in the waterbodies around the Madras

Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu.

Brahminy Shelducks visit India from Central Asia during winters. Above, a flock seen in

river Ganges near the Narora Atomic Power Station in Uttar Pradesh.

A Grey-headed Barbet is a resident breeder of India, photographed near Narora Atomic

Power Station in Uttar Pradesh.

A Plain Prinia with nesting material in its beak. Photographed near Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in

Gujarat.

A Green Damselfly in the exclusion zone of Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Maharashtra.

A Gull-billed Tern in the skies of Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Maharashtra.

A female Asian Paradise Flycatcher at its nest inside the exclusion zone of Kakrapar Atomic Power

Station in Gujarat.

A Crimson Rose butterfly explores its food. Photographed near Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in

Tamilnadu.

An Indian Roller at its favourite perch near the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in

Tamilnadu.

A Blue Bull strolls in a waterbody inside the exclusion zone of Narora Atomic Power Station

in Uttar Pradesh.