Developing bird sensitivity map for Thar Desert landscape, Rajasthan, India with special reference to conservation of critically endangered Great Indian Bustard and other threatened birds

In recognition of the serious threat posed by renewable energy infrastructure to birds, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) commissioned the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) to develop a map of avian spatial sensitivity zones across the country to help mitigate this danger. This paper discusses the avian spatial sensitivity map created for the low-flying, Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps (GIB), as well as for vultures and raptors in the Thar Desert Landscape which was selected as one of the land sites under Central Asian Flyway (CAF) programme. The map provides guidelines for ongoing energy infrastructure investments in this landscape.To begin, we conducted a literature review to identify the historical distribution of the GIB in the Thar landscape. We selected an area of approximately 26,100 sq. km in and around Jaisalmer district for the survey, dividing it into 116 grids of 15x15 sq. km each. Due to road availability, we surveyed 85 grids, covering 19,125 sq. km. At each 2 km interval during the vehicle survey, we performed a 10-minute point count (Bibby et al. 2000). A total of 1,062-point counts were conducted over c. 2,125 km, encompassing c. 133 hours of observation between September and November 2020 and February to April 2021. We assessed habitat quality based on the availability of native flora preferred by the GIB. Threats such as human settlements, free-ranging dogs, powerlines, solar panels, wind turbines, and livestock were documented during the point counts. We also collected sign surveys focusing on the presence of GIB and opportunistic records of bird mortality.An avian sensitivity map was created based on: 1) GIB records, 2) vulture and other raptor congregations, 3) suitable GIB habitat, 4) areas with minimal anthropogenic threats, and 5) sites that appeared to serve as corridors for GIB movements between habitats. The sensitivity map identified eight zones of varying conservation priorities and highlighted 13 sacred groves (orans) important for the sustainability of the natural landscape. We also recommend steps to protect this vulnerable landscape.