GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD

1.Context

The Supreme Court has ruled that people have a “right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change”, which should be recognised by Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The judgment by a three-judge Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, was delivered on March 21 2024 in a case relating to the conservation of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

2.About Great Indian Bustard

• The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is a critically endangered bird species native to the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world and is characterized by its large size, long legs, and brownish-grey plumage with black markings. The male GIB is distinguished by its distinctive black crown and long, drooping feathers on the neck.
• Historically, the GIB inhabited grasslands and semi-arid regions across India, Pakistan, and Nepal. However, due to habitat loss, hunting, and other human activities, its population has declined dramatically. Today, the species is primarily found in isolated pockets in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh in India.
• Conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Great Indian Bustard include habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, captive breeding programs, and community engagement initiatives. Despite these efforts, the GIB remains at risk of extinction, and urgent action is needed to ensure its survival.
• The Great Indian Bustard is not only a symbol of India's rich biodiversity but also an indicator of the health of its grassland ecosystems. Efforts to conserve this iconic species are therefore crucial for preserving India's natural heritage and biodiversity

3.What are the Article 21 and 14 of the Indian Constitution?

Article 21 and Article 14 of the Indian Constitution are fundamental rights that guarantee certain protections to citizens of India.

Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution states that "No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law." This article provides individuals with the fundamental right to life and personal liberty. It ensures that no person can be deprived of their life or personal liberty except through the due process of law. Over the years, the Supreme Court of India has interpreted Article 21 expansively to encompass various rights and freedoms, including the right to privacy, dignity, shelter, and a clean environment.

Article 14: Right to Equality

Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to all persons within the territory of India. It states that "The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India." Article 14 ensures that the government cannot discriminate against individuals based on factors such as religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It mandates that all individuals are entitled to equal treatment and opportunities under the law. The principle of equality enshrined in Article 14 is fundamental to the Indian legal system and is upheld by the judiciary to prevent arbitrary or discriminatory actions by the state

4.Habitat

• The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) primarily inhabits grasslands and semi-arid regions across the Indian subcontinent. Historically, it was found in various states of India, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, as well as in parts of Pakistan and Nepal.
• These grasslands provide the GIB with suitable habitat for foraging, nesting, and mating. They typically consist of open, flat terrain with sparse vegetation, including grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees. The bird's large size and long legs make it well-adapted to traversing these open landscapes.
• However, due to extensive habitat loss and degradation resulting from factors such as agricultural expansion, development projects, and human encroachment, the natural habitat of the Great Indian Bustard has been significantly reduced. Today, the remaining populations are primarily confined to fragmented patches of grassland habitat, often in protected areas and wildlife reserves.
• Conservation efforts aimed at preserving the GIB's habitat include initiatives such as habitat restoration, land management practices to promote grassland health, and the establishment of conservation reserves and corridors to connect fragmented habitats. Protecting and restoring these grassland ecosystems is crucial for the survival of the Great Indian Bustard and the countless other species that depend on them for their existence

5.Threats

• Power Transmission Lines –among the greatest threat to the Great Indian Bustard are overhead transmission lines. 
• Due to their poor frontal vision, the birds cannot spot the power lines from a distance and are too heavy to change course when close. Thus they collide with the cables and die.
• Hunting
• Attack by feral dogs and wild pigs
• The natural habitat of Bustards is also an ideal space for setting up wind turbines and solar panels.
• Habitat loss due to widespread agriculture.
• According to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in Rajasthan, 18GIBs die every year after colliding with power lines.

6.Steps Taken

The Supreme Court ordered all overhead power transmission lines in core and potential Great Indian Bustard habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat be made underground.

The court sought reports from the chief secretaries of the two states in six weeks on the installation of bird diverters (reflector–like structures strung on power cables) in priority areas.SC asked them to assess the length of transmission lines that need to go underground.

The captive breeding programme of the Great Indian Bustard was spearheaded by the wildlife institute of India, Dehradun