Sun Aug 03 00:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

India’s wind energy sector is experiencing significant growth, but a new study reveals alarming bird mortality rates, particularly in the Thar Desert. While the government pushes for increased renewable energy adoption to meet climate goals, concerns are rising about the impact of wind farms on bird populations. Experts emphasize the need for careful site selection and comprehensive environmental impact assessments, especially as India expands into offshore wind energy. While offshore wind projects require EIAs, onshore projects are not mandated, raising concerns over the potential environmental consequences of rapid expansion.

**News Article:**

**India’s Wind Energy Boom Comes at a Deadly Cost to Birdlife**

**Bengaluru, August 3, 2025** – India’s renewable energy ambitions are soaring, with wind power leading the charge. New figures show a remarkable 82% year-on-year growth in the wind sector, adding approximately 3.5 GW in the first half of 2025 and bringing the total installed capacity to 51.3 GW. However, a groundbreaking study is casting a shadow on this progress, revealing devastating consequences for bird populations, especially in the ecologically sensitive Thar Desert region.

The study, published in *Nature Scientific Reports* by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), estimates annual bird mortality at wind farms in the Thar Desert to be a staggering 4,464 birds per 1,000 sq. km. Researchers surveyed a 3,000 sq km area in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, home to around 900 wind turbines and a diverse range of bird species, including the critically endangered great Indian bustard. The study’s findings highlight a critical conflict between renewable energy development and avian conservation.

“Our research shows that wind turbines pose a significant threat to birdlife, especially migratory species,” said Yadvendradev Jhala, one of the study’s authors. “The Thar Desert is a crucial part of the Central Asian Flyway, and the impact on these birds could have far-reaching consequences.”

While acknowledging the need for renewable energy, experts are calling for more stringent regulations and proactive measures to mitigate the impact on bird populations. Currently, onshore wind energy projects in India are not required to conduct environmental impact assessments (EIAs) before installation, a stark contrast to the mandatory EIAs for offshore wind farms.

“Careful site selection is paramount,” explains Ramesh Kumar Selvaraj, an independent consultant who has studied bird mortality at wind farms. He highlighted the importance of tools like Birdlife International’s AVISTEP (Avian Sensitivity Tool for Energy Planning), which maps avian sensitivity across India.

India is also aggressively pursuing offshore wind energy, aiming for 30 GW of capacity by 2030. However, limited research has been conducted on the environmental consequences of this new frontier, which may disturb marine biodiversity and create noise pollution. Environmental groups are urging that lessons from onshore projects be taken into account as India expands into offshore wind. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of wind farms on migratory species.

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