NEWS – A Supreme Court-appointed expert committee has proposed designated “power corridors” in Rajasthan and Gujarat to reduce GIB mortality from overhead power lines, offering relief to renewable energy projects previously facing blanket restrictions.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Facts about the Great Indian Bustard (GIB):

• Habitat: Found only in India; prefers open grasslands.
• Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • CMS & CITES: Appendix I
• Population: <150 individuals; mainly in Rajasthan.
• State Bird: Rajasthan.
• Ecological Role: Flagship species for grassland conservation; feeds on insects, seeds, reptiles.

Threats to GIB:

• Habitat loss due to agriculture.
• Predation of eggs by dogs, lizards, and humans.
• Collision with overhead power lines.

 Conservation Efforts:

• Recovery Plan (2012–2033):
  • Funded by Compensatory Afforestation Fund (Rs 33.85 cr).
  • Conservation Breeding Centres: Ramdevra & Sorsan.
  • Research: Telemetry tracking, habitat restoration, outreach.

Expert Committee Recommendations (2024):

• Priority Area Expanded:
  • Rajasthan: 14,013 sq km
  • Gujarat: 740 sq km
• Power Corridors:
  • Width: 5 km (Rajasthan), 1–2 km (Gujarat).
• Mitigation Strategy:
  • Undergrounding critical power lines.
  • Voltage-based treatment of existing lines.
  • “Jump-start” breeding via egg transfer from Rajasthan to Gujarat.
  • No restriction for new lines outside priority areas.

Contextual Note:

World Nature Conservation Day – July 28, 2025

Theme: “Connecting People and Plants: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”
A reminder of the critical need to conserve species like the GIB to sustain biodiversity.