Parliament Question: Comprehensive Ecological Assessment conducted by WII

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 Comprehensive Ecological Assessment conducted by WII

5. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:

SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to

state:

(a) whether as per Comprehensive Ecological Assessment conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and published in a scientific reports journal that the wind turbines installed in Thar desert across 3000 square kilometre areas in the State of Rajasthan are responsible for an estimated 1359 bird deaths annually and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether mortality rate of birds in this region of the country is quite high as compared to other parts of the country and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has prepared a list of the birds which are worst hit by the turbine or windmills in this region and if so, the details thereof, species-wise;

(d) whether many of these species are near threatened species and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government to protect these species; and

(e) the details of other steps taken/being taken by the Government to make these turbines more visible to the birds and prevent death of the local and migratory birds? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (e) The protection and management of wildlife is the primary responsibility of the concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Wild Life

(Protection) Act, 1972 provides for the protection of wild animals including birds listed in schedule I and II of the Act. The important steps taken by the Ministry for

protection of wildlife including bird species of the country include:

(i) Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been created all over the country under the Wild Life (Protection) Act,

1972.(ii) The Ministry has notified the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) rules, 2017, for better protection of wetlands in the country.

(iii) Financial assistance is provided to the States/UTs for protection and management of wildlife and development of its habitats under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Development of Wildlife Habitat’s per the annual plan of operations received from the States Governments/ UT Administrations.

(iv) A specific component of ‘Recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and habitats’ is included in the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ for focused conservation action on 24 identified critically endangered species including Bustards, Edible nest Swiftlets, Nicobar Megapode, Jerdon’s Courser and Vultures.

(v) The Ministry has issued guidelines on ecofriendly measure to mitigate impacts of linear infrastructure on wildlife.

(vi) Several steps have been taken to conserve the Great Indian Bustards (GIB) such as conservation breeding, restoration and scientific management of grasslands, fire prevention measures, installation and maintenance of predator proof fencing, community engagement activities for GIB conservation etc. in different habitats including Rajasthan .

(vii) An Action Plan for Vulture Conservation was launched by the Ministry in November, 2020.Eight Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres have been set up across India.

The State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and scientific institutions carry out different studies on wildlife, including impacts of various parameters, and on basis of inferences, necessary actions are taken up by the concerned State Governments /UT Administrations and authorities, as required. The Ministry has not commissioned any study to assess the region-wise mortality of birds, due to wind turbines.

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