Why in news?
A study by the Wildlife Institute of India reported exceptionally high bird mortality rates around wind farms in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert. Researchers found over one hundred carcasses near ninety turbines and estimated that thousands of birds die every year in this region alone due to collisions with blades and power lines. This has sparked debate about the placement of renewable‑energy projects in ecologically sensitive areas.
India’s wind‑energy landscape
India has the world’s fourth‑largest installed wind capacity—over 50 gigawatts—and significant potential both onshore and offshore. The country aims to develop 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030 and has tendered projects in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Yet the environmental assessment for onshore projects remains voluntary, and biodiversity concerns are often overlooked in the rush to expand renewables.
Why bird mortality is serious
- Fragile ecosystems: The Thar Desert lies on the Central Asian flyway used by migratory birds; it is also home to the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard and numerous raptors.
- Underestimated impacts: Studies often focus on immediate collisions, but cumulative effects—such as disturbance of breeding grounds and disruption of migratory routes—remain poorly understood.
- Cascading effects: Raptors sit atop food chains; their decline could affect rodent populations and broader ecosystem balance.
Policy shortcomings
- Environmental impact assessments are not mandatory for onshore wind projects, leaving wildlife impacts largely unexamined.
- Offshore wind assessments remain superficial, focusing on engineering rather than marine biodiversity.
- There is little coordination between the ministries responsible for energy, environment and wildlife, leading to fragmented decision‑making.
Possible solutions
- Smart siting: Use avian‑sensitivity maps and radar technology to avoid migratory flyways and critical habitats when planning wind farms.
- Blade modifications and shutdowns: Painting one blade of each turbine black can improve visibility; turbines can also be shut down during peak migration periods.
- Mandatory assessments: Require detailed wildlife impact studies and cumulative‑effects analysis for all renewable‑energy projects, with adaptive management based on monitoring results.
- Zoning and offsets: Designate exclusion zones around protected areas and require developers to finance habitat restoration programmes.
Renewable energy is essential for mitigating climate change, but it should not come at the cost of biodiversity. Integrating ecological science into planning and policymaking will help India balance its energy ambitions with the need to protect wildlife.