2015

In December 2011, we visited distribution pole lines in the Thar Desert in western India to assess the electrocution risk to raptors. We inspected 624 concretepoles and found 160 bird carcasses at the pole bases. Although power lines can provide positive benefits for birds, the trend of using concrete poles with metal crossarms outweighs the benefits. If concrete poles are used in raptor habitats, alternative construction methods should be substituted, such as the use of suspended insulators.

Despite a wealth of information on avian interactions with power lines, problems persist throughout
the world. This article aims to determine if 11-kV distribution power lines in rural India are contributing to avian electrocutions and, if so, at what level. A secondary goal is to identify if certain power line configurations are more problematic than others.