Soon, maps to guide energy projects on routes used by migratory birds
MUMBAI: To protect routes of migratory birds from man-made structures like electricity transmission lines and wind mills, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) will create satellite (global information system – GIS) based maps of migratory routes across the country by next year.
The union environment ministry approved the proposal submitted by BNHS — the oldest nature conservation group — earlier this month to replicate the idea of flyway maps developed by European countries. According to BNHS, migratory species like flamingos have been dying annually due to the construction of high tension wires along coastlines in Gujarat, Maharashtra and other parts of the western coast. Certain areas record hundreds of bird deaths every year.
Wildlife experts said that while a number green energy projects have been sanctioned by the cen- tral government, mostly related to wind energy and setting up of wind mills, the environment impact assessment (EIA) for such projects do not look at routes.
BNHS has a repository of over 500 important bird areas (IBA) in India that have been identified under various global criteria.
The data base will also include wetlands, endangered, endemic, threatened and range-restricted bird species. The maps will be colour coded on the basis of red, brown and green corridors identifying maximum avian traffic.
“We suggested to the central government that flyway maps will act as a strong support tool where comprehensive judgment can be done without comprising the integrity of the environment,” said Dr Deepak Apte, director, BNHS.