The Great Indian Bustard and Climate Action Verdict

The Great Indian Bustard, revered for its majestic stature and unique presence in the Indian subcontinent, faces an existential threat due to habitat loss, poaching, and collision with power lines. With a population decline of over 75% in the past three generations, this iconic bird now stands on the brink of extinction. However, amidst this ecological crisis, there’s a glimmer of hope as climate action gains momentum worldwide. The recent verdicts and initiatives on climate action underscore the urgent need to preserve biodiversity and mitigate the impact of human activities on the environment. As nations strive to meet their commitments under global climate agreements, safeguarding vulnerable species like the Great Indian Bustard becomes not just a conservation imperative but also a moral obligation towards future generations.

Tags: GS Paper – 3, Conservation- Government Policies & Interventions

For Prelims: Desert National Park, Great Indian Bustards (GIB), International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, Species Recovery Programme, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats.

For Mains: Impacts of Climate Change on Great Indian Bustards (GIBs)

Table of Contents

Context:

A recent judgement, the Supreme Court of India acknowledges the fundamental right to be shielded from the detrimental effects of climate change.
While the judgement has drawn considerable interest from environmental advocates, primarily centred on its implications for safeguarding the Great Indian Bustard, it is imperative to examine its broader implications through the lens of inclusive climate action.

Great Indian Bustard (GIB):

About:

The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), designated as the State bird of Rajasthan, stands as India’s most critically endangered avian species.
Serving as the emblematic grassland species, it symbolises the well-being of the grassland ecosystem. Its habitat primarily lies within Rajasthan and Gujarat, with smaller populations found in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

Protection Status:

International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List: Critically Endangered
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix I
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Vulnerability:

The Great Indian Bustard faces ongoing threats from collisions/electrocutions with power transmission lines, hunting (which persists in Pakistan), and habitat loss and alteration due to extensive agricultural expansion.
Being a slow-reproducing species, GIBs lay few eggs and provide nearly a year-long parental care for their chicks. They attain maturity around 3-4 years of age.

India’s Concerns:

The grassland habitat in the Cholistan desert, where Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) were recently killed, closely resembles the habitat found in Rajasthan’s Desert National Park (DNP), which hosts the last remaining wild population of GIBs.
DNP, located near the towns of Jaisalmer and Barmer, is a vital part of the expansive Thar desert. Established as a National Park in 1981, its primary purpose is to safeguard the habitat of the Great Indian Bustard.
Given Rajasthan’s proximity to Pakistan’s Sindh and Punjab provinces, where the GIBs may fall prey to gun-toting poachers, concerns regarding their vulnerability intensify.
The hunting of these rare birds poses a significant threat not only to India’s GIB population but also to the delicate desert ecosystem.

Constitutional Provisions Related to Wildlife Conservation:

Article 48A of the Constitution emphasises the State’s obligation to strive for the preservation and enhancement of the environment, alongside the protection of forests and wildlife within the nation.
Under Clause (g) of Article 51A, it is mandated that every Indian citizen has a duty to safeguard and enhance the natural environment, encompassing forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to exhibit compassion towards all living beings.
Article 21 of the Constitution, while safeguarding human rights, extends protection to life in its broader sense. The term “life” is interpreted expansively, encompassing all aspects of the environment, including animal life, essential for human existence.
Any disruption to the fundamental environment, inclusive of all life forms, falls within the purview of Article 21 of the Constitution.

The Recent Updates Regarding GIBs:

Filing of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL), 2019 in SC:

In 2019, concerned citizens filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court regarding the conservation of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, which primarily inhabits the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Interim Measures:

The petitioners sought interim measures, including a ban on further construction of solar and wind energy infrastructure and the laying of overhead power transmission lines associated with these projects.

Blanket Ban by the Supreme Court:

Responding to the PIL, the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on the laying of overhead power lines in an expansive area of 99,000 square kilometres.
This included regions identified as priority and potential areas for bustard conservation and the Court ordered the undergrounding of existing power lines, both high and low voltage.

Objection by the Indian Government:

It argued that the ban encompassed a much larger area than the actual bustard habitat, which also held significant wind and solar energy potential.
The government also asserted the impracticality of undergrounding power lines and highlighted other factors contributing to the bustard population decline, such as poaching, habitat destruction, and predation.

Recalling of Order by SC:

In a subsequent decision on March 21, 2024, in the case of M.K Ranjitsinh Versus Union of India, the Supreme Court modified its earlier order, retracting the blanket prohibition on transmission lines.
The Court entrusted the recalibration to an expert committee tasked with evaluating the feasibility of undergrounding power lines and proposing measures for bastard conservation.
The committee is expected to submit its report by July 2024, following which the Court will issue its final judgement.

The Various Implications of SC Order in M.K Ranjitsinh Versus Union of India:

The Supreme Court has broadened the scope of environmental jurisprudence, extending beyond traditional principles like the polluter pay principle, precautionary principle, and public trust doctrine to encompass climate justice, environmental equity, and gender justice.
The Court transcended the narrow ‘environment versus development’ dichotomy to address contentious issues constitutionally and internationally. Recognizing a right against climate change impacts, the Court underscored its nexus with constitutional rights to equality and life.
N Acknowledging India’s energy demands, the Court emphasised transitioning to solar energy to enhance energy security and curb environmental impacts. Highlighting the absence of climate-specific legislation, the Court referenced global climate litigations and their implications.
The judgement’s focus on renewable energy benefits raised concerns regarding environmental and social ramifications, particularly regarding the Great Indian Bustard’s habitat.
Inadequate assessment and regulation of large-scale renewable energy projects prompted public opposition, emphasising the need for comprehensive environmental evaluation.
The Court grappled with balancing GIB conservation and overall environmental preservation, emphasising the necessity of a holistic approach.
Empowering an expert committee to assess transmission line scope and recommend conservation measures highlights a collaborative conservation approach.
While acknowledging the existence of the right against climate change impacts, the Court refrained from articulating it further, departing from its precedent of clarifying environmental rights.

Steps are Being Taken to Conserve the GIB:

Species Recovery Programme: The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is included in the species recovery programme under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). In 2015, the GIB species recovery programme was initiated, with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Rajasthan forest department jointly establishing breeding centres to artificially incubate GIB eggs harvested from the wild.
Firefly Bird Diverters: Firefly bird diverters, installed on power lines, act as reflector-like structures to alert bird species like the GIB. Mandated by the Supreme Court, the chief secretaries of Rajasthan and Gujarat are tasked with installing bird diverters in priority areas and assessing the length of transmission lines requiring undergrounding.
Artificial Hatching: Initiated in 2019, the conservation breeding program involves collecting GIB eggs from the wild and artificially hatching them. The first chick, named ‘Uno’, hatched on June 21, 2019, followed by eight more chicks that year. Currently, 29 GIBs are housed in two breeding centres in Rajasthan.
National Bustard Recovery Plans: The Government of India has devised a comprehensive Conservation Plan for Great Indian Bustards to coordinate conservation efforts across various states.
Conservation Breeding Facility: MoEF&CC, the Rajasthan government, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) established a conservation breeding facility in Desert National Park at Jaisalmer in June 2019.
Project Great Indian Bustard: Launched by the Rajasthan government, Project Great Indian Bustard aims to construct breeding enclosures and develop infrastructure to alleviate human pressure on GIB habitats.

Conclusion:

Thus, In “The Idea of Justice” (2009), Amartya Sen asserts that justice involves reducing injustice and promoting justice. The Chief Justice advocates for climate-specific legislation and litigation, transitioning from coal to cleaner energy, aligning with human rights and inequality reduction. This judgement may guide laws and policies to safeguard citizens from climate change and protect the Great Indian Bustard from power line hazards.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q:1 Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species? (2012)

(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass

(b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard

(c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)

(d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal

Ans: (a)

Q:2 With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? (2020)

It is spread over two districts.
There is no human habitation inside the Park.
It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Source: (TH)

Q: What is the Great Indian Bustard?

The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is a critically endangered bird species native to India and a symbol of the country’s grassland ecosystems. It is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, known for its distinctive appearance and elaborate courtship displays.

Q: Why is the Great Indian Bustard endangered?

The Great Indian Bustard is endangered primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and human encroachment. Other factors contributing to its decline include hunting, poaching, and collisions with power lines.

Q: What is being done to conserve the Great Indian Bustard?

Conservation efforts for the Great Indian Bustard include habitat restoration, captive breeding programs, community-based conservation initiatives, and efforts to mitigate threats such as power line collisions. Government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities are collaborating to implement conservation measures and raise awareness about the bird’s plight.

Q: How does climate change impact the Great Indian Bustard?

Climate change poses additional challenges to the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard and its habitat. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and changes in vegetation composition can affect the bird’s foraging behavior, breeding success, and overall survival. Climate-related factors also exacerbate existing threats, further jeopardizing the species’ long-term viability.

Q: What role does the Great Indian Bustard play in climate action?

Protecting the Great Indian Bustard and its habitat aligns with broader climate action goals by preserving biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem services, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Healthy grassland ecosystems, which support the Great Indian Bustard, sequester carbon, enhance water retention, and contribute to climate resilience. Conserving the species contributes to the overall health and resilience of India’s ecosystems, thereby supporting climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

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The Great Indian Bustard and Climate Action Verdict – UPSC