The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark judgment aimed at safeguarding the Great Indian Bustard while allowing renewable projects to proceed in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, according to the ruling in M.K. Ranjitsinh & Others v. Union of India & Others.
Revised Zones for Species Protection
The bench endorsed the panel’s recommendation to shrink the protected zones, setting the new designated area for Rajasthan at 14,013 sq. km and for Gujarat at 740 sq. km. The adjustment follows a detailed review of habitat data.
These figures replace earlier boundaries that had halted several wind and solar projects. Officials said the change reflects a “holistic approach” that does not sacrifice either conservation or development.
Power Line Mitigation Measures
A key directive orders the undergrounding of 80 km of 33 kV transmission line in Rajasthan within two years. The court emphasized the urgency, noting that overhead wires have been a leading cause of bustard deaths.
For lower‑voltage circuits, the order permits insulated cables laid horizontally or in bundled form, covering all lines of 11 kV and below. This technical shift is expected to reduce bird collisions.
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The judgment also bars new overhead lines—except those placed in dedicated corridors—within the revised zones.
Wind turbines are similarly restricted, and solar installations larger than 2 MW cannot be added or expanded there.
Corporate entities are reminded that “social responsibility” must now include “environmental responsibility,” the court wrote, linking it to a constitutional duty to fund protection measures.
A brief note on bird‑flight diverters (BFDs) states that deployment will wait for further study. The court said effectiveness and maintenance concerns preclude an immediate directive.
Implementation responsibility rests with the Inspector General of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who must ensure all actions are completed within the two‑year deadline.
The plan mixes hard limits with technical fixes.
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The revised zones leave some habitats fragmented, limiting the bustard’s breeding range. The species may fail to rebound, making future revisions necessary, and the court’s language indicates a reluctance to revisit the map soon.
The decision also references a need for ongoing monitoring, though no specific agency was named for long‑term data collection. This omission may create gaps in assessing the real impact of the measures.
Environmental groups have welcomed the focus on undergrounding but warned that enforcement will be key. The ruling does not detail penalties for non‑compliance, leaving that to future regulations.
Industry representatives note that the restrictions on new solar parks above 2 MW could affect planned capacity additions in the region, potentially slowing progress toward national renewable targets.
Overall, the judgment attempts to thread a needle between preserving a critically endangered bird and meeting India’s energy ambitions, a balance that will be tested as projects move forward.