'19,000 birds die due to high-tension wires every month in Jaisalmer-Barmer region'

JAISALMER: Nearly 19,000 birds fall prey to the high-tension electric wires every month at the Thar desert area in Jaisalmer-Barmer region. A study has revealed that 18,700 birds of different species die each month after coming in contact with the high-tension wires. “The study covered 6,000 sq km area and it was found that around 19,000 different kinds of birds die every month by hitting the electric wires. Our calculation shows that more than five birds die in every km every month by hitting the wires, which comes to a total of 18,700 in the entire area,” said Dr YV Jhala, senior scientist at Wildlife Institute of India.
Bird dies due to high-tension

The study was conducted under his guidance. He claimed that he had raised the issue in two meetings with chief minister Vasundhara Raje but no concrete measures have been taken so far.



The study, conducted by a research student, Mohib Uddin, under Jhala and project scientist Dr Suthirtha Dutta, was done in and around Desert National Park (DNP) to collect baseline data on power line mortality and assess their impact on birds. To assess power line mortality, a survey was conducted in 100 km of power lines using belt transects and compared it with natural mortality assessed from randomly selected belt transects without power lines. In the study it was found that power line collision is an increasing concern for bird conservation.

While the state forest officials accept the situation is grim, little is being done to protect the birds. The power department and owners of the windmill companies in the area, have failed to install bird diverters on these lines for a year now in the flying area of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB). The state wildlife department, taking a serious note of this, has shot a warning letter to the power department for immediate action under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Chief wildlife warden GV Reddy confirming this, admitted that the high-tension wires are a major concern. “The electricity department had written a letter earlier with a request that it will install bird diverters in the flying zone of the GIB. Despite passing of such a long time, the department has not taken any action in this regard,” Reddy said and added that the department has been sent another reminder recently. The latest letter warns that wildlife department would be forced to take action under Wildlife Protection Act if the power department fails to put bird diverters. No reply has been received by the wildlife department, which is preparing to send a final reminder.