Bird Deaths and Wind Energy in India
Kartavya Desk Staff
- •Syllabus: Environment*
- •Source: TH*
Context: India added 3.5 GW of wind power in early 2025, marking 82% annual growth, but a Wildlife Institute of India study raised concerns over rising bird deaths near turbines in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, sparking debate on the ecological impact of renewables.
About Bird Deaths and Wind Energy in India:
Findings from the WII Study (Thar Desert):
• Conducted over a 3,000 sq. km area in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• Studied 90 wind turbines and found 124 bird carcasses.
• Estimated 4,464 bird deaths per 1,000 sq. km per year.
• In control sites with no turbines, no bird deaths were recorded.
• Critically endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard are at risk.
• The study found raptors to be the most affected bird group.
• Collisions with both wind turbine blades and associated power lines were major causes.
Why Bird Mortality is a Serious Issue?
• Migratory Disruption: Thar Desert lies on a key migratory flyway, and turbine installations disrupt bird movement and breeding.
• Raptor Vulnerability: Raptors’ slow reproduction makes them highly sensitive to even minor mortality increases.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: Wind zones like Jaisalmer host rich birdlife, including endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard.
• Past Underestimation: Previous studies underestimated risks due to lower bird densities and limited turbine coverage.
• Ecological Imbalance: Bird loss affects trophic balance, increasing pests and harming agriculture.
Key Gaps in Policy:
• No Onshore EIAs: Onshore wind farms are exempt from mandatory environmental assessments.
• Weak Wildlife Review: Clearance processes often ignore biodiversity impacts in sensitive areas.
• Shallow Offshore EIAs: Offshore wind projects rely on limited, rapid environmental assessments.
• Cumulative Impact Ignored: Current EIAs neglect regional and long-term ecological consequences.
• Poor Ministry Coordination: Lack of synergy between MNRE and MoEFCC delays ecological safeguards.
Mitigation Measures and Tools:
• Blade Painting: Painting one blade black enhances visibility and reduces bird collisions.
• Timed Shutdowns: Turbines can be paused during peak migration to prevent strikes.
• Smart Layout Design: Reorienting turbines away from flyways minimizes risks.
• Use of AVISTEP: Mapping tool identifies bird-sensitive zones for better site selection.
• Ground Surveys: Field studies are essential to validate remote avian sensitivity data.
What Needs to be Done:
• Mandate All EIAs: Require full environmental assessments for both onshore and offshore projects.
• Zoning-Based Siting: Allocate wind sites based on ecological sensitivity and avian flyways.
• Adopt Tech Tools: Use radars and AI systems to monitor bird activity and shut down turbines when needed.
• Include Local Input: Engage ecologists and communities in planning and clearance decisions.
• Fund Long-Term Research: Support multi-year studies to assess biodiversity risks of wind energy.
Conclusion:
India’s shift to renewable energy is essential for climate goals, but it must not compromise biodiversity. Unplanned wind projects can threaten birds, especially in ecologically rich areas like the Thar Desert or coastal flyways. A sustainable approach must integrate ecological science, policy safeguards, and environmental planning to ensure that renewable energy does not come at the cost of wildlife.