Decoupling the great Indian false binary

The Supreme Court's expert committee to determine the Great Indian Bustard's core habitat will help move towards resolving a difficult situation of balancing conservation with evacuating renewable electricity. Irrespective of the precedent it sets, the era of managing multiple goods and non-negotiables is upon us.

Such instances will rise as India decarbonises and climate-proofs its economy. Electricity networks will grow exponentially even if India adopts every energy efficiency option. Robust transmission-distribution network and digital infrastructure will mean more wires and cables - overhead and underground. Given population density, rich biodiversity resources and hotspots, cultural sanctity, livelihoods of forest residents, conservation of forests and health of hydrological systems, choosing between competing non-negotiables will be the norm. Hierarchy of norms that prioritised economic growth over other considerations no longer holds in a climate-constrained world. We need a different approach, which includes pushing back on the dogma of speciesism, or caring about humans at the cost of other living beings.

Clear targets, plans, consultations, and exploring trade-offs and options must underpin the road to a net-zero emissions economy by 2070. The 2030 target of 500 GW of non-fossil electricity-generation capacity and sourcing 50% electricity consumption from RE by 2030 must be translated into drawing board plans considering all factors, including addressing non-negotiables. A plan that details out every possible issue and contingency can factor in all workarounds and options. One good won't need to be sacrificed at the altar of another.