UPSC | Prelims GS | 2026

Consider the following statements about the Great Indian Bustard: 1. It is threatened by collisions with high-tension power lines. 2. It is a heavy bird with relatively poor vision while flying. 3. The Supreme Court has required undergrounding of every power line throughout India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 2 only

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct: the bustard’s flight height and poor vision make overhead lines a major threat. Statement 3 is overbroad because the Court modified its earlier direction and limited undergrounding to a subset in the bird’s critical habitat. The measure is therefore habitat-specific, not a nationwide requirement for every line.

Topics: environment, great indian bustard, power-line mortality, wildlife conservation