Power struggle in Indian desert exposed by dispute over bustard

The Great Indian Bustard, a gravely endangered bird species, is facing a renewed threat to its habitat as clean energy groups seek to develop a sun-soaked desert area in India to meet the country’s growing demand for green power.

Once almost hunted to extinction for its meat, the Great Indian Bustard now faces habitat destruction and modern pesticides that have pushed the species to the brink of extinction, with only around 100 remaining in the wild.

India’s Supreme Court is expected to relax a ban on building overhead transmission lines in the bird’s last habitats in Rajasthan, a decision that has sparked a debate between conservationists and corporate giants in India.

The ban, imposed in 2021 to protect the bird, covers over 100,000 sq km of arid land with significant wind and solar energy potential. The government and renewable energy companies argue that laying cables underground, as mandated by the court, would be too costly and hinder India’s goal of reaching 500GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

A new committee of conservation experts and officials has been appointed to reevaluate the issue, considering the balance between protecting a critically endangered species and addressing climate change challenges.

While companies and lobby groups see the potential relaxation of restrictions as a victory, conservationists warn that it could be a setback for the species. Efforts are being made to protect the remaining bustards, including the installation of devices to scare away birds and the establishment of a fund for bustard rehabilitation by the National Solar Energy Federation of India.

As India navigates the delicate balance between conservation and renewable energy development, the fate of the Great Indian Bustard hangs in the balance, with stakeholders working towards a solution that ensures the survival of the species while meeting the country’s energy needs.