Soni Satti
The Supreme Court stepped in on behalf of the Great Indian Bustards given the increase in their death rates after colliding with power lines in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde suggested examining whether underground power cables be placed instead of the overhead ones to save one of the four most endangered animals.
However, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal submitted that only low voltage lines can go underground but not the high voltage ones.
Since Bustards have a narrow frontal vision and they cannot detect power lines ahead of them, while looking for alternatives, the court found that installing flight bird diverters would be expensive. The installation of diverters would even cost more if used underground the lines.
Senior advocate Shyam Divan submitted that,
“They are megafauna and have the largest wingspan,’’
“It is the obligation of the State, it is the obligation of this generation to see to it that the bird does not die,”
On the seriousness of the matter, the court decided to further hear the matter.
