Context:

India added 3.5 GW of wind power in early 2025, showing 82% annual growth. However, a Wildlife Institute of India (WII) study raised concerns about increased bird deaths near wind turbines in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, triggering debate on the ecological impacts of renewable energy expansion.

Key Findings from WII Study (Thar Desert, Rajasthan):

• Conducted across 3,000 sq. km in Jaisalmer.
• Studied 90 turbines; found 124 bird carcasses.
• Estimated 4,464 bird deaths per 1,000 sq. km/year.
• No bird deaths observed in control areas without turbines.
• Critically endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) are at risk.
• Raptors were the most affected group.
• Main causes: collisions with blades and power lines.

Why Bird Mortality is Concerning:

• Migration Disruption: Thar Desert lies on a crucial avian migratory flyway.
• Raptor Sensitivity: Low reproduction rates make even small losses critical.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: Wind-rich zones like Jaisalmer support diverse birdlife, including endangered species.
• Earlier Underestimates: Prior assessments missed impacts due to sparse turbine deployment.
• Trophic Imbalance: Bird loss can increase pests, affecting agriculture and ecosystems.

Policy Gaps Identified:

• No EIAs for Onshore Projects: Currently exempt from mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments.
• Weak Biodiversity Consideration: Clearance processes ignore ecological sensitivity.
• Superficial Offshore EIAs: Rushed evaluations for offshore projects.
• No Cumulative Impact Review: Regional and long-term impacts are overlooked.
• Poor Coordination: Disconnect between MNRE and MoEFCC hampers effective safeguards.

Mitigation Measures and Tools:

• Blade Painting: Blackening one blade improves visibility, reducing bird strikes.
• Timed Shutdowns: Pausing turbines during migration peaks.
• Smart Siting: Avoiding key bird flyways during turbine placement.
• AVISTEP Tool: Maps bird-sensitive zones for informed site selection.
• Ground Surveys: Field validations essential alongside remote sensing.

Recommendations – What Needs to Be Done:

1. Mandate Comprehensive EIAs for all wind projects (onshore and offshore).
2. Ecological Zoning: Allocate wind farms away from biodiversity hotspots and flyways.
3. Use Technology: AI, radar, and smart grids to monitor bird activity and control turbine operation.
4. Local and Expert Involvement: Include ecologists and communities in planning and clearance.
5. Support Long-Term Research: Fund studies to track biodiversity impacts over time.

Conclusion:

India’s renewable energy expansion is vital for climate goals, but ecological safeguards are essential to prevent unintended harm. Unplanned wind energy projects, especially in ecologically sensitive zones like the Thar Desert, can endanger bird populations. A balanced, science-driven approach must integrate biodiversity concerns into clean energy planning to ensure that climate action does not come at the cost of wildlife conservation.

Source: The Hindu