A Message To The Newly Elected Government

The need for Electrical Insulation of Power Lines to Prevent wildlife deaths

During an early morning drive, we saw a large owl lying dead on the side of the road and we pulled over. I travel frequently on this particular road. I got down and looked closely at the dead owl, it turned out to be an Indian eagle-owl or rock eagle-owl. I confirmed the identification by Amsa who is an expert at identifying birds.The Indian eagle owl has the largest wingspan among Indian Owls and I have seen this owl two or three times on my night journeys near the place where it was struck. I have also observed that it was roosting in a Banyan tree on the side of a busy road. I always wanted to come back and spot the owl during the day. But I did not get the opportunity.  To be honest -  I have to say that I was not inclined to go and see the owl.

When I picked the dead owl up, it was as light as a piece of cork. It may have been two days since the owl was injured. I was shocked that I had to see the bird in such a terrible condition.  Looking up at the sky, I noticed high voltage power lines running overhead. I thought about how it could have died. .. And I came to the conclusion that when the owl perched on the high voltage power line,  spread its wings to take off to catch its prey, its six-foot spread wing might have brushed against the power line and the bird would have died due to electrocution. It is also noteworthy that the breeding season of Indian eagle owl starts from February to April and perhaps this unfortunate incident  happened when the bird was trying to find food for its chick in the nest.  

Photo by Bharathidasan S

Photo by Karthic SS

Rare species are common to be seen lying dead on the road or on power poles rather than seeing them alive in their natural habitat. Some people may argue that no development activities can be done if all the safety of wildlife is considered. Just for the sake of an argument they might even say ‘Then don't use the roads, don't use electricity as it’s harmful to wildlife’.

But that’s not the point we conservationists are making. We are  trying to find a way to mitigate the risk of animal deaths as opposed to completely avoiding electricity and roads.This is because power lines can be dangerous and can kill living beings. If animals like elephants get electrocuted, the incident gets attention in the media,  but innumerable small mammals, birds and reptiles die of electrocution, and these incidents never come to our attention.

I wish to recollect an incident. Twenty years ago,  there was a restaurant near the room where I used to stay. Outside the restaurant, food waste and used plantain leaves were dumped in the open. The crows usually scavenge on this by sitting on top of the power poles. But at least once a week or month, a crow will get electrocuted and die and the power supply will be disconnected. This created a lot of disruption to a factory nearby. Due to this, the store was instructed not to dump food waste outside the show and the crows escaped the electrocution. We emphasize the need for such preventive measures. We cannot afford to be complacent and careless as the electrocuted bird is just a crow which is very commonly found. Power lines and wind farms also pose a threat to the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard. Also, studies conducted in Africa have confirmed that the second biggest threat to endangered vultures next to the problem caused by painkillers such as diclofenac is death by electrocution. And in Tamil Nadu, Wildlife Researcher Manikandan has recorded that four years ago, a Vulture from the Himalayas got electrocuted and died in the Moyar region in Mudumalai.

Our mission is to endeavour and strive to save endangered species in every way possible. Therefore, all the power lines running across India should be insulated or be routed under the ground to prevent damage to birds and animals. First priority should be given to regions with wildlife sanctuaries and then it should be expanded to all areas. As this is a significant activity that can protect wildlife, this should be proactively carried out without any worry about the financial expenditures. 
We present this as a request to the newly formed Government.

S. Bharathidasan
Secretary
Arulagam.