Despite the Supreme Court of India’s order on the conservation of the critically endangered Great Indian bustard — a large indigenous  bird whose population has reduced to 100 in the country — two environment protection groups have stated that the order is not being respected on the ground.

In a joint press statement released on June 19, the Mumbai-based Bombay Natural History Society and The Corbett Foundation stated that despite the apex court asking the underground laying of the powerlines in the natural habitat of the critically endangered bird, the overhead power lines are being set up.

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The apex court, on April 19, had passed an order that demanded the concerned authorities to ensure that power lines are laid underground in the habitat of the critically endangered birds. Also, it ordered the installation of bird diverters in the already existing overhead power lines.

“Large renewable energy projects across GIB (Great Indian bustard) habitats, mainly in Rajasthan and  Gujarat, have put these already threatened species at the grave risk of extinction,” the press release stated.

Kedar Gore, director of Mumbai-based The Corbett Foundation said: “Despite the SC order, the work on laying of overhead power lines is continuing in Rajasthan and Gujarat without complying to the conditions laid down by the Supreme Court.”

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“None of the existing power lines has been fitted with bird diverters. This  disobedience amounts to contempt of court,” he added.

The  Wildlife Institute of India (WII) estimates that 18 of these birds die each year due to collision  with power lines, making power lines the most significant current threat to these last remaining Great Indian bustards. 

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In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court,  the Union Ministry of Power had admitted that the bird lacks frontal vision. Due to this, they   cannot detect power lines ahead of them, from a far off distance. 

As they are heavy   birds,   they   are   unable   to   manoeuvre across power lines within close distances.  Thus, they are vulnerable to collision with power lines, the Ministry had stated.

“In case of low voltage lines, electrocution is often the cause of death due to smaller phase to phase separation distance. High voltage lines do not cause death due to electrocution but cause death due to collision,” it added.

Meanwhile, in the recent press statement, Bivash Pandav, Director, Bombay  Natural History Society (BNHS) termed the Thar desert as the ‘one and only Intensive Critical Care Unit’ of Great Indian  Bustard.

“One of the most charismatic bird species of India, the Great Indian Bustard, is undoubtedly standing at the doorstep of extinction… BNHS applauds the judgement of Hon. Supreme Court of India  and firmly believes in leaving no stone unturned in safeguarding the remaining Bustard habitats in the Thar desert,” he stated.