IMPACT OF WINDMILLS ON WILDLIFE

Oct. 15, 2018

Researchers from Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) studied the impact of the Windmills on wildlife during a two-year project. The study is funded by Karnataka Forest Department, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) and National Institute of Wind Energy.

Key Findings:

Existing scenario of windmills: Karnataka has diverted 37.80 sq. km of forests for wind farms. KREDL says that there are more than 3,857 wind turbines generating 4,730 megawatts of electricity.
Collisions: Researchers found that windmills killed birds and bats in collisions. The team saw collisions with a collision rate of 0.23 animals per year per turbine. Due to this, birds are avoiding windmill sites.
Noise levels:
- Birds and mammals also moved away due to the noise.
- The noise levels near windmills go up to 85 decibels (dB), the equivalent of large trucks. By comparison, noise in urban areas is 55 dB and even in industrial areas, is lower at 75dB. Ambient noise in forests is less than 40 dB.
- Due to this, animals are moving from turbine locations to forest fringes Such avoidance and movement to fringes might increase conflict with humans.
Recommendations: This calls for protocols and policy guidelines before diverting forest land for wind farms.