The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recently unveiled the Draft Central Electricity Authority (Construction of Electric Lines in Great Indian Bustard Area) Regulations, 2023. The introduction of these regulations are a response to concerns raised in the Supreme Court pertaining to threats faced by the endangered species, the Great Indian Bustard. As part of this mandate, electric lines of 33 kV and below passing through the bustard-protected zones will be required to be underground. Conversely, those exceeding 33KV will be designed as overhead lines, equipped with bird flight diverters. The aim of these measures is to increase the visibility of power lines for birds and mitigate collision risks.
The Great Indian Bustard: An Overview
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), recognised as the state bird of Rajasthan, is considered the most critically endangered bird species in India. Representing the health of grassland ecology, this flagship grassland species is primarily found in Rajasthan and Gujarat. There are also small populations in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
Risks Faced by the Great Indian Bustard
The Great Indian Bustard is under significant threat from several factors including collisions or electrocutions with power transmission lines, hunting activities (especially prevalent in Pakistan), and extensive agricultural expansion leading to habitat loss and alteration.
Conservation Status of The Great Indian Bustard
According to the IUCN Red List, the Great Indian Bustard falls under the ‘Critically Endangered’ category. It is included in Appendix1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). Furthermore, this bird is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Efforts to Protect The Great Indian Bustard
The Great Indian Bustard is included in the species recovery programme under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Additionally, National Bustard Recovery Plans are presently being deployed by various conservation agencies.
Conservation Breeding Facility and Project Great Indian Bustard
A special conservation breeding facility was established in June 2019 at the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer by MoEF&CC, Rajasthan government and Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Additionally, the Rajasthan government has launched the ‘Project Great Indian Bustard’, with objectives such as constructing breeding enclosures for the species and developing infrastructure to alleviate human pressure on its habitats.
Eco-friendly Initiatives for GIB Protection
Tasks forces have been assigned to suggest eco-friendly ways to mitigate the impacts of power transmission lines and other infrastructures on wildlife, including the Great Indian Bustard. These measures are aimed at harmonizing the need for power transmission infrastructure and the preservation of the critically endangered species.