GIB dies after hitting live wires in Jaisalmer, 7th fatality in 4 years

Jaisalmer: A female Great Indian Bustard (GIB) on Monday died after hitting a live high tension wire near Sanwanta village in Degrai pasture lands in Jaisalmer.
Such incidents have become a regular affair in the region, which in turn is affecting population and conservation of the state bird of Rajasthan, which is on the verge of extinction.
Following the incident, a large number of wildlife enthusiasts reached the spot and the forest department team too reached and started the investigation.
Angry at the laxity of the government, the wildlife enthusiasts and villagers also protested. In the last two years, this was the second female GIB that died of hitting the live high tension wires. In the last four years, 7 GIBs have died in a similar situation.
Senior wildlife enthusiast Sumer Singh Bhati and bird expert Radheshyam Pemani stated that on Monday they were studying migratory birds when a female GIB was found lying dead under 220 KV wires.
"Possibly it would have died after hitting the high tension wires. This area has windmills and a network of high tension wires is laid, which has become a high risk for GIBs," said Pemani.
On getting the information, the deputy conservator of forest, Desert National Park (DNP), Ashish Vyas also reached the spot with his team.
Confirming this incident, Vyas said that the body of a female great Indian Bustard was found in Sawanta area under the high tension wires and it has been sent for post mortem. The reports will be given on Tuesday.