Broken bones and burns: power lines threaten rare birds in India More than 50 dead in forest fires in Chile

In a region of India with great potential for renewable energy, power lines pose a threat to the extremely rare Hindu bustard. The relatively heavy birds lived mainly in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan state, an arid region that is particularly suitable for wind and solar farms, according to the Wildlife Institute of India. Clean energy is urgently needed in the country.

High-voltage power lines are so dangerous for the birds because they are often seen too late, explains Sumit Dookia of GGS Indraprastha University in New Delhi and the ERDS Foundation, which works to protect the Hindu bustards (Ardeotis nigriceps) in the Jaisalmer district . The birds’ eyes are located on the sides of their heads, which limits their vision. Moreover, with their weight of 15 to 18 kilograms, they could only avoid obstacles slowly. Volunteers from his organization repeatedly find injured and killed birds with broken bones and burns, Dookia said. In addition, animals are attacked by stray dogs and cats.

According to the environmental organization WWF, there are only about 200 of these majestic birds left. They live in India and neighboring Pakistan. Just fifty years ago, there were more than 1,200 of them in India alone, according to the Wildlife Institute of India.

India’s highest court has been dealing with animals and power lines for several years. But the Ministry of Renewable Energy and electricity companies argue that laying the lines underground is too expensive and that there are sometimes technical problems. In any case, companies are now increasingly installing new power lines in neighborhoods where Hindu steps are less common, Dookia says. In addition, existing lines would have reflectors that would make it easier for the birds to see.

In addition, the Ministry of Environment, the government of the state of Rajasthan and the Wildlife Institute of India are jointly trying to raise Hindu bustards in a breeding program, which they plan to release into the wild in about 20 to 25 years. (dabbing/sda/dpa)