SC revisits order on undergrounding power lines in GIB habitat

27 Mar 2024 CW Team

According to reports, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has also announced the formation of an expert committee. This committee's task is to assess the feasibility and extent of both overhead and underground electric lines within the area identified as a Priority Area by the Wildlife Institute of India in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

It has been stated that any relaxation of restrictions in the Potential Area is contingent upon certain conditions. The expert committee has been directed to establish parameters that encompass both Priority and Potential areas. Additionally, the committee is expected to provide recommendations regarding the installation of bird diverters.

The court has emphasised the importance of striking a balance between the imperative to conserve the bird species and the interests of renewable energy development. In light of this, the court has deemed it necessary to reconsider its previous directions issued in April 2021 regarding the undergrounding of high and low-voltage power lines. Previously, these directions covered an area of 80,000 sq km, which included both the Priority Area and Potential Area of the GIB habitat.

The expert committee has been granted time until July 31, 2024, to compile and submit its report.

Since 2019, when a petition was filed seeking the court?s intervention to protect the GIB and the Lesser Florican, both species believed to be facing extinction, numerous solar and wind energy projects in the two states have faced delays. Rajasthan and Gujarat are noted for their substantial renewable energy potential within India.

As per estimates provided to the court by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2021, approximately 65 GW of renewable energy projects are situated within the GIB habitat in the two states.

The Supreme Court's recent decision could potentially bring significant relief to renewable energy developers. It has been reported that the undergrounding of power transmission lines will be restricted to the Priority Area, covering 3,163 sq km, within the endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitat. According to reports, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has also announced the formation of an expert committee. This committee's task is to assess the feasibility and extent of both overhead and underground electric lines within the area identified as a Priority Area by the Wildlife Institute of India in Rajasthan and Gujarat. It has been stated that any relaxation of restrictions in the Potential Area is contingent upon certain conditions. The expert committee has been directed to establish parameters that encompass both Priority and Potential areas. Additionally, the committee is expected to provide recommendations regarding the installation of bird diverters. The court has emphasised the importance of striking a balance between the imperative to conserve the bird species and the interests of renewable energy development. In light of this, the court has deemed it necessary to reconsider its previous directions issued in April 2021 regarding the undergrounding of high and low-voltage power lines. Previously, these directions covered an area of 80,000 sq km, which included both the Priority Area and Potential Area of the GIB habitat. The expert committee has been granted time until July 31, 2024, to compile and submit its report. Since 2019, when a petition was filed seeking the court?s intervention to protect the GIB and the Lesser Florican, both species believed to be facing extinction, numerous solar and wind energy projects in the two states have faced delays. Rajasthan and Gujarat are noted for their substantial renewable energy potential within India. As per estimates provided to the court by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2021, approximately 65 GW of renewable energy projects are situated within the GIB habitat in the two states.

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