Wind Energy in India: Balancing Clean Power Goals with Avian Conservation
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Renewable Energy, Biodiversity, Critically Endangered Species - Great Indian Bustard, Central Asian Flyway, Wildlife Institute of India), Governance (National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, Environmental Impact Assessment - EIA).
Mains:
GS Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. (This is a classic "development vs. environment" debate topic).
Key Highlights from the News
A new study by the Wildlife Institute of India reveals that bird mortality rates in India's wind farms are among the highest in the world.
This finding is based on a study conducted in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.
This region is a habitat for critically endangered birds like the Great Indian Bustard.
One reason for the high bird mortality rate here is that the Thar Desert is part of the Central Asian Flyway, a major migratory route for birds.
Bird accidents occur not only due to wind turbines but also due to collisions with associated power lines.
The most crucial way to mitigate this issue is to select appropriate locations for establishing wind farms.
India is now preparing to establish offshore wind farms. For this, detailed marine spatial planning and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are essential.
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