IMPACT OF THE WIND FARM ON SELECT FAUNAL COMPONENTS OF A DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST AT HARAPANAHALLI, DAVANGERE, KARNATAKA

Abstract

A global shift from conventional energy to the more environment-friendly and pollution-free renewable energy sources is increasingly evident in recent years. However, the renewable energy sources too have its own share of impacts on environment and life forms, although to a lesser extent compared to the conventional energy resources. The major future source for energy generation in India is expected to be the wind energy. The wind turbine installation started in India in 1984, however there are very few studies on the negative effect of wind turbines on the environment. The current pace of wind energy development in India poses questions about the extent of potential impacts by the wind farms on the environment. This study focused on the impacts of wind energy production on birds, bats, and black-naped hare (Lepus nigricollis) at Harapanahalli, Karnataka with the following objectives. (1) Study the Impacts of the wind farm on birds and bats of Hyrada reserve forest (2) Study the Impacts of wind farm on Black-naped (Lepus nigricollis) hare at Hyrada reserve forest. (3) Develop GIS-based model maps using distribution range information of select faunal species to evaluate the spatial variation in the impact potential of wind farm development.