On 12th September 2014, an adult female Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) collided with high-tension electric powerlines near Kutch Bustard Sanctuary (KBS) in the Abdasa taluka of Kutch district, Gujarat. The bird was found dead just below the powerlines and had electrocution marks. The incident happened a few hundred meters from the boundary of KBS. There are three heavy powerlines passing by the Lala-Jakhau main road, two lines on one side and one on the other. The bird was found lying dead below these two lines.
Read also: Power Lines: Threat to the Great Indian Bustard. Scientific studies carried out on other bustard species have shown that these birds are more prone to such collisions because of their low height flight, relatively small binocular field and large blind area. It is crucial to implement scientific conservation strategies to prevent such incidents. Infrastructural development like roads, electricity network and land–use diversion for intensive agriculture, wind turbines, industries and other construction should be completely restricted within 3 km radius of the important bustard habitats. Powerlines should be replaced by underground cables and until it is achieved, all the network of powerlines existing in the vicinity of the important bustard habitats should be insulated and reflectors installed on it.
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Scientific studies carried out on the other bustard species have shown that bustards are more prone to such collisions because of their low height flight and relatively small binocular field and large blind area.