Round table discusses damage due to data centres
Environmental activists and experts held a round-table discussion to criticize the environmental and resource impact of large data centers. They argued that these facilities consume excessive water and power while operating with minimal regulatory oversight.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing tension between rapid digital infrastructure expansion and environmental sustainability goals.
A round-table meeting on Saturday saw environmental and agricultural activists deliberate on the harmful impact of big data centres on public resources and environment.
Former civil servant and noted environmentalist E.A.S. Sarma said data centres put the water and power security of people at risk, and cost them higher due to subsidies offered to foreign companies. They are exempted from pollution control laws and labour laws, even while not providing much employment.
Mr. Sarma also spoke about lack of any law to regulate the data centres, and though there are provisions to protect the environment, they are not being enforced in the name of Ease of Doing Business.
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