In a critical step toward conserving the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a Supreme Court-appointed committee in 2024 has recommended creating dedicated corridors for power transmission lines in Rajasthan and Gujarat. This decision aims to prevent fatal bird collisions, a leading cause of death for the critically endangered species, while supporting India’s growing renewable energy needs.
With fewer than 150 GIBs remaining in the wild, their survival is threatened by overhead power lines, especially in high-density habitats like Desert National Park and Kutch. Due to the bird’s poor frontal vision and heavy body, power lines often go unnoticed, resulting in fatal impacts.
Key proposals include:
- A 5 km-wide power corridor south of Desert National Park for east–west transmission in Rajasthan.
- Two designated corridors in Gujarat to evacuate wind and solar power from Kutch, with special consideration for bird movement patterns.
- Rerouting and undergrounding of dangerous line segments near known bustard habitats and previous mortality sites.
- Revision of GIB priority areas, now set at 14,013 sq km in Rajasthan and 740 sq km in Gujarat, to balance conservation and infrastructure needs.
A joint task force involving forest departments, power authorities, and wildlife experts will identify exact zones for these corridors based on technical and ecological viability.
This initiative is a significant step toward harmonizing development with biodiversity conservation, ensuring that clean energy growth does not come at the cost of endangered wildlife.
