Retrofit Transmission Lines and Wind Turbines to Avoid Bird Collision : MNRE

Transmission agencies and wind energy developers may identify critical power transmission lines and wind energy farms passing through the GIB habitats and accordingly take up risk mitigation measures against bird hits.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an order with compliance to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes (MOEF&CC) to retrofit transmission lines and wind turbines to avoid bird collision in Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitats of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

MOEF&CC had previously reported that electrocution with the transmission lines and collision with wind turbines of Wind Energy Farms are major causes of death of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) birds in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

In this regard, MOEF&CC has taken the following measures for ensuring the safety of GIB and other migratory bird species:

(a) It has taken an ambitious Great Indian Bustard Species Recovery Programme in collaboration with Wild Life Institute of India (WII) and GIB range States like Rajasthan and Gujarat, which includes identification of the critical power transmission lines and wind energy farms in GIB habitats and making them GIB friendly.

(b) Standing Committee of National Board of Wild Life in its 47th meeting has made the submission of the animal passage plan, prepared on the basis of WII guidelines, mandatory for considering approval of any new linear infrastructure project proposal passing through protected areas and other wildlife-rich areas. These guidelines suggest for putting up the bird diverters on the conductors of the power transmission lines.

(c) In compliance of the Supreme Court direction dated January 19, 2018, in Civil Writ Petition No. 275 of 2015, the MOEF&CC is constituting an inter-ministerial Task Force comprising of officers of the Ministry of Power, PGCIL, Central Electricity Authority and MOEF&CC for suggesting various measures for avoiding death of the birds and other animals due to electrocution and collision with the power transmission lines.

(d) Forest Advisory Committee in its meeting held on March 22, 2018, has made it mandatory for power transmission line agencies to deploy bird diverters on conductors and paint the vane tips of the wind turbines with an orange colour to avoid bird hits.

“In this regard, it is requested that power transmission line agencies and wind energy farm developers may identify critical power transmission lines and wind energy firms passing through the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat in consultation with the Wild Life Institute of India (WII) and concerned States Governments and accordingly take up risk mitigation measures against bird hits like putting up bird diverters on the conductors, painting of vane tips of the wind turbines, etc.” the ministry issued in its notice.

For more information click here.