T

he construction of high-voltage power lines connecting the East Java and Bali grids may pose a further threat to the critically endangered Bali starling, an ornithologist warned Tuesday.

The power lines, which are expected to boost the island's electricity supply by 1,000 megawatts (MW), could pass over the West Bali National Park, a natural habitat for the bird.

Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) ornithologist Jarwadi B. Hernowo said the inevitable opening up of the park due to the project could lead to increased poaching of the starlings.

"There's no guarantee that there won't be any poaching of the birds or destruction of their habitat," said Jarwadi, who recently did a study on the local starling population.

"It's a security problem that threatens the species."

The Bali Crossing project will transmit power from the Paiton plant in East Java to Bali, which currently has a supply of only 500 MW.

"The shortest way to connect the two islands is through Lampu Merah, Labuan Lalang, Kotal and Brumbun, most of which is part of the national park," Jarwadi said. "So the project will certainly affect the habitat."

However, state electricity monopoly PT PLN has made assurances the project will not pass over the national park area, located on the western tip of Bali.

PLN Bali general manager Arifuddin Nurdin said transmission towers to support the cables would be installed along the periphery of the national park, without actually crossing into the protected area.

He said the company had discussed the plan with the provincial administration to ensure minimum impact on the park.

PLN will suspend the cables around 45 meters above the tallest trees, Arifuddin said.

Should the power lines pass over the national park, Jarwadi said, supervision by forest rangers should be tightened to prevent poaching of wildlife and destruction of conservation areas.

An estimated 80 Bali starlings live in the park. The population began dwindling in the 1990s due to rampant poaching of the indigenous species, which fetched up to Rp 40 million a bird at that time.

Conservationists have conducted numerous reintroduction programs to boost the starling population.

Park head Bambang Darmaja called for a win-win solution to the electricity issue.

"We must ensure the species are not threatened, and at the same time the project must go ahead to supply more power to Bali," he said. "We support the project, so long as we can find a win-win solution."

The Forestry Ministry has not yet issued a permit for the project.