July 31, 2017
India

Madhya Pradesh denies permission to windmill project to protect endangered bird

Punya Priya Mitra, Bhopal, Hindustan Times, Jul 29, 2017: hindustantimes.com

Endangered Lesser Florican. The project fell within the eco-sensitive zone (10 km) of the Sailana Bird Sanctuary, which has been set up for conservation of the Kharmor.

The state wildlife board has refused permission to the Kshema Power and Infrastructure Company, Dewas, for setting up a windmill project at Sailana tehsil of Ratlam districtas it is likely to disturb the habitat of the highly endangered Lesser Florican, also known as Kharmor locally, in the Sailana Wildlife Sanctuary.

For the proposed plant, the company had sought nine hectares of land falling under P-172 of the Ratlam forest circle.

However, since the project fell within the eco-sensitive zone (10 km) of the Sailana Bird Sanctuary, which has been set up for conservation of the Kharmor, permission of the state wildlife board was necessary as directed by the Supreme Court and also the Union government. The board refused permission in its meeting held on July 10.

In a letter, a copy of which is with HT, the principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) Jitendra Agrawal formally informed the company about the decision.

Indore-based ornithologist Ajay Gadikar said it is now well established that wind turbines affect the habitat of the birds. “It appears the forest department too has officially accepted this premise,” Gadikar said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/07/31/madhya-pradesh-denies-permission-to-windmill-project-to-protect-endangered-bird/