Supreme Court Relooks Earlier Directions, considers lifting ban on transmission lines through Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitats | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
News Today Logo

    Supreme Court Relooks Earlier Directions, considers lifting ban on transmission lines through Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitats

    Posted 23 Mar 2024

    2 min read

    • SC constituted an expert committee to examine feasibility and extent of installing overhead and underground powerlines in GIB habitats. 
      • In April, 2021, SC had ordered power companies in Rajasthan and Gujarat to make the high-tension power lines underground so that GIB do not get caught in the web.
    • Committee is headed by Director, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun and is required to submit its report to Court on or before July 31, 2024.

     

    • Reasons for reconsidering the earlier direction 
      • Areas is critical to protection of GIB
        • With the exception of some areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat, 90% of GIB’s habitat has vanished. 
        • Due to their lack of frontal vision, birds are unable to see overhead powerlines in front of them from a distance and are too heavy to move around them in close quarters.
      • Area falling in GIB habitat is also crucial for development of solar energy sector and undergrounding power lines are difficult as:
        • It will put huge fiscal burden (around Rs. 55,000 crore). 
        • Underground cable would pass through agricultural fields which is a safety concern as the cable might get punctured due to agricultural activities.

     

    About Great Indian Bustard

    • Habitat include arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation. It avoids irrigated areas.
    • Rajasthan has the highest population and it is endemic to Indian Sub-continent. 
    • IUCN Status: Critically Endangered 
    • Important Sites: Desert National Park Sanctuary (Rajasthan), Naliya (Gujarat), Warora (Maharashtra) and Bellary (Karnataka)
    • Tags :
    • Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
    • Power lines and GIB
    Watch News Today
    Subscribe for Premium Features

    Quick Start

    Use our Quick Start guide to learn about everything this platform can do for you.
    Get Started