Conservation of the Great Indian Bustards (GIB) in Gujarat is turning out to be a nightmare for the state government. Only four females survive in the Kutch region today.
However, their flight is posed with dangers when high tension power lines will be laid for the renewable energy infrastructure planned for the arid Kutch. The species and concerns for its safety have been a major reason to halt the project.
In its affidavit dated April 20 in the Supreme Court, the Gujarat department of energy has suggested that the four GIBs be translocated to the breeding centre at Sam in Jaisalmer or the upcoming new centre at Sorsan in Rajasthan. The document was filed by undersecretary of the state energy and petrochemical department, Dipesh Raj and noted that between 2017 and 2020, six GIBs were electrocuted after collision with power lines in the two states.
For its part, the Wildlife Institute of India, clarified that it cautioned the state government way back in 2013 when four male GIBs were present. None of the males survive now.
Clarifying the administration’s stand, Raj stated that laying of underground cables beneath the agricultural land may be unsafe for farmers as digging might put them at risk of electrocution. Added, the magnetic radiation from underground lines pose long term health hazards for the entire ecosystem.
“Bird diverters were thought of. However, not only is the cost high, its weight might affect the emission strength of the conductor and damage it,” he added.
