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

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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.

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)

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