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Thousands of Bird Protectors Attached to Electric Power Lines Across Madhya Pradesh State to safeguard avian life from electrocution

State energy department-backed plan targets decreasing bird fatalities

In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, more than 1.53 lakh bird guards have been installed on...
In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, more than 1.53 lakh bird guards have been installed on high-tension power lines.

Thousands of Bird Protectors Attached to Electric Power Lines Across Madhya Pradesh State to safeguard avian life from electrocution

Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company Launches Large-Scale Conservation Initiative

The Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company (MP Transco) has embarked on a significant conservation initiative aimed at reducing bird mortality and safeguarding bird species, while also ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply.

The initiative, which has shown promising results, involves the installation of over 1,000 km of high-risk transmission lines with bird protection devices. According to Sunil Tiwari, the managing director of MP Transco, this reflects their dedication to ecological stewardship and operational efficiency.

Over 1.53 lakh bird guards have been fitted on extra high-tension (EHT) power lines across the state, with an additional 1,53,384 bird guards fixed on towers to prevent birds from perching near live wires. These devices, along with 4,705 flappers, including radium-coated reflectors for night visibility, have been deployed to increase line visibility and warn birds in flight.

Furthermore, 4,983 preventers have been placed on insulators to block landing, and 10,000 other protective devices have also been installed on EHT power lines. These measures have resulted in fewer bird strikes and reduced power tripping incidents in previously vulnerable areas.

The initiative is particularly focused on protecting large and endangered species like the Indian Sarus Crane and the Great Indian Bustard. Wildlife experts have described the effort as a timely intervention to address the "silent crisis" of bird deaths caused by transmission networks.

This large-scale rollout of bird protection devices in Madhya Pradesh has positioned the state as one of the few taking proactive steps to align power sector growth with wildlife conservation. The benefits of the initiative are twofold: it ensures a reliable electricity supply and contributes to the preservation of Madhya Pradesh's rich biodiversity.

Despite the success of the initiative, the name of the Managing Director of MP Transco involved in the conservation effort is not explicitly mentioned in the available search results. However, Sunil Tiwari's statement underscores the company's commitment to the cause.

In conclusion, the Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company's conservation initiative represents a significant step towards balancing the needs of both wildlife and electricity supply. The results are promising, and the initiative serves as a model for other regions to follow in aligning power sector growth with wildlife conservation.

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