Jaisalmer villagers hit the road to save GIB habitat

JAISALMER

: As power lines that connect windmills and

solar power

plants are turning out to be death traps for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustards (

GIB

) in its habitat known as Oran (pasture land) in local parlance, villagers and environmentalists as a mark of protest started a two-day march on Saturday.

The protesters, who will parade around 55km under the banner of ‘Oran Baccaho Parikrama’, are demanding that around 29,000 bighas of Oran land be declared as ‘deemed forest’ as it is critical winter habitat for the GIB as well as many other wildlife.

After the thrust towards green energy is having an environmental cost, the protesters also demanded to divert or remove all the overhead transmission lines passing through Oran.

Wildlife biologist Sumit Dookia said, “This is a GIB habitat with 15,000 hectare Oran land, which as Supreme Court’s order be declared as deemed forest. The region from three sides is already surrounded by windmills and soon will be enclosed as a solar energy park is being set up. There are already three high-voltage power lines, while work to lay another two lines and construction of a grid sub-station is under process. Once its operational, it will be a death trap.”

The issue flared up after a female GIB died near Sanvata village when it collided with the vertically aligned high voltage power lines on September 18. ERDS foundation director Mamta Rawat said, “The complete area is to be declared as Godown Arc area as the land, which was allotted to various solar energy and

windmill

companies, are causing damage to safe habitat of animals and birds.” Shree Degra Mataji Oran land in Jaisalmer is claimed to be 610 years old. The land was allotted by the then ruler

Bairsi Singh

to plant trees and conserve the habitat for birds and animals.


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