Archive · 27 Dec 2025
Supreme Court Orders Safeguards for Great Indian Bustard
The Supreme Court of India has ordered new measures to protect the Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered bird.
These measures include rerouting and burying power lines in key areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat to prevent the birds from colliding with them.
The court also increased the size of protected areas for the bird and directed specific conservation actions.
The goal is to balance the need for renewable energy with the protection of this important species.
The court formed an expert committee to recommend these measures, which include burying certain power lines and creating dedicated powerline corridors.
The measures aim to ensure the long-term survival of the Great Indian Bustard while allowing for the development of clean energy projects.
The Supreme Court ordered new safeguards to protect the Great Indian Bustard from power lines in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The court increased the size of protected areas for the bird and directed specific conservation actions.
Measures include rerouting and burying power lines, creating dedicated powerline corridors, and prohibiting new overhead power lines in priority areas.
The court accepted recommendations from an expert committee formed to balance conservation with renewable energy development.
Conservation measures include restoration of grassland ecosystems, predator management, and community engagement.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India
- What
- Ordered new safeguards to protect the Great Indian Bustard from power lines
- When
- December 19, 2023
- Where
- Rajasthan and Gujarat, India
- Why
- To prevent the extinction of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard due to collisions with power lines
- Bird Species
- Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
- Critical Habitats
- Rajasthan and Gujarat
- Priority Areas
- 14,013 sq km in Rajasthan, 740 sq km in Gujarat
- Power Line Mitigation
- Undergrounding of 80 km of 33 kV lines in Rajasthan, 79.2 km of 33 kV lines in Gujarat
- Conservation Measures
- Restoration of grassland ecosystem, predator management, community engagement
- Timeline for Completion
- 2028
- Expert Committee
- Wildlife, conservation, and power sector experts
- Petitioner
- M K Ranjitsinh