Introduction

• The Supreme Court has called upon the Centre to unveil its strategy for preserving the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) by February.

Why discuss this?

• Recognizing the urgent need to safeguard this bird species, the court acknowledges the significant threat posed by high transmission power lines in the natural habitats of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• These areas are not only vital for the GIB but also play a crucial role in India’s renewable energy initiatives, particularly solar power.
• Striking a balance between GIB conservation and international commitments to reduce carbon emissions through renewable energy is the challenge at hand.

Great Indian Bustard: An Overview

• Significance: GIBs are the largest among India’s four bustard species and are considered flagship birds of grasslands.
• Conservation Status: Critically endangered, with historic habitat reduced to just 10 percent.
• Protection Measures: Listed under CITES Appendix I, IUCN status: Critically Endangered, and under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
• Threats: Overhead power transmission, poor vision, windmills, noise pollution, landscape changes, and alterations in cultivation patterns pose significant threats to GIBs.

Conservation vs. Solar Power Dilemma

• International Commitments: India has global commitments to reduce carbon emissions and promote alternative energy sources such as solar power.
• Striking a Balance: The Supreme Court emphasizes the need to find a middle ground that preserves the GIB while ensuring the availability of solar power.
• Safety Concerns: Underground power lines are deemed dangerous, necessitating innovative solutions.

Challenges and Concerns

• Ineffective Bird Diverters: Current bird diverters installed in key GIB habitats are either sub-standard or have failed to prevent collisions.
• Government’s Role: The Court questioned the government’s intentions and seeks a clear plan to address the GIB’s conservation and the solar power expansion.
• Data on Bird Diverters: The Chief Justice inquired about authentic data or government-monitored studies on the effectiveness of bird diverters.

Try this PYQ:

Q.Consider the following pairs:

Protected Area: Well-known for

1. Bhitarkanika, Odisha — Salt Water Crocodile
2. Desert National Park, Rajasthan — Great Indian Bustard
3. Eravikulam, Kerala — Hoolock Gibbon

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? (CSP 2014)

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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