India now stands at a very crucial juncture in its pursuit of renewable energy, balancing economic growth with the challenge of mitigating climate change. However, it is pertinent to ensure this development does not come at the cost of its fragile ecosystems and endangered species.
The voices being raised on this aspect include that of S P Yadav, Director General of the International Big Cat Alliance and former member secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Yadav has headed several high-profile conservation initiatives undertaken in India, which include the Project Tiger and Project Lion. Recently, Yadav underlined during an interaction with PTI editors that it was very important to achieve a balance between the needs of energy on one hand and the protection of wildlife on the other.
Renewable Energy vs. Conservation of Wildlife
India has immense potential for renewable energy, especially due to solar and wind power in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Rajasthan is estimated to have a solar potential of 6,464 GW and Gujarat a wind potential of 212 GW. Yet, the last habitats of the GIB are also in these states.
This has pitted human interests of wildlife conservation against the development of renewable energy. Solar and wind energy projects require overhead power transmission lines, which bustards risk flying into. To this, the Supreme Court of India, while hearing a petition regarding adverse impact of power lines on GIB, has identified a fundamental right against harmful effects of climate change as a separate fundamental right. This case has grown into a debate on how to strike a balance between India’s climate ambitions and its candidature for wildlife protection.
UAE Model: Houbara Bustard Conservation
Yadav suggested that the UAE should be taken as a model for balancing wildlife conservation with development. The UAE has artificially inseminated and released over 549,816 houbara bustards in the wild since 1998 without any need for collision bird diverters or underground power lines. Yadav felt this model can also be replicated in India for the Great Indian Bustard.
The IFHC in UAE has taken a serious interest in increasing the population of houbara bustard by rearing about 40,000 chicks annually. It has been very successful without any high and expensive infrastructural modification like underground laying of power lines or the use of bird diverters.
Conservation of Great Indian Bustard in India
India has now embarked on a captive breeding program to counter the decline of the Great Indian Bustard. Supported by the forest departments of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, along with the Wildlife Institute of India, the program focuses on establishing a captive population of GIB for future rewilding programs. In addition, in-situ conservation-that which is directed to the protection of the birds in their natural range-forms part of this strategy.
For this very GIB, a satellite breeding facility has already been established in Sam, Rajasthan near Jaisalmer. The Union Environment Ministry has also identified a few sites for conservation breeding centre of both the Great Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican, another endangered bird species, in consultation with international experts.
The Challenge Ahead
It is important that these goals of renewable energy are also in sync with its economic development and response to climate change. The catch, however : how to ensure such projects will not harm endangered species, like the Great Indian Bustard. It must be addressed by the government through some novel measures such as artificial programs of breeding or reassessing infrastructure plans.
Although the UAE model of houbara bustard conservation presents a tantalizing prospect, special ecological and geographical challenges in India also need to be considered. This is where the urgency to develop renewable energy should not be at the cost of protection for those endangered species that form an integral part of India’s biodiversity.
Conclusion
India is faced with an important decision-it has reached a stage where renewable energy development has to succeed along with wildlife conservation. How far these efforts succeed would, however, depend on how the country picks up models like those of UAE and adheres to strategies that are needed for India’s needs. With continuous efforts in place, like the GIB breeding program and recognition by the Supreme Court of the right against adverse climate effects, it is expected that a right mix between growth and conservation would come about for India.
Source: The story is based on a PTI report and related media reports on renewable energy and the wildlife conservation in India.