The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, has given its nod to the next Rs 56 crore conservation plan of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican. This was a proposal of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and was recommended by the executive committee of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) earlier in June this year.
Key highlights
- The WII proposed an expansion plan of the conservation programme which has been running since 2016. It put forth a plan for the next phase of the conservation effort from 2024 to 2033.
- The WII’s plan comprises two parts. Firstly, it emphasizes on completing the Conservation Breeding Centre (CBC) in Ramdevra of Jaisalmer. Furthermore, it includes facility development for Lesser Florican in Sorsan, Rajasthan. It particularly focuses on releasing plans, suggesting preparation for the release of captive-bred birds and GIBs in Rajasthan and its range states.
- Most importantly, it talks about regular monitoring of birds after their release and the development and application of artificial fertilization techniques. The WII will strengthen its collaborations with the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, Abu Dhabi, to develop artificial insemination techniques.
- The second part of the proposed plan includes in-situ conservation of GIBs in States like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The WII will be actively involved in these States and ensure proper implementation of the plan.
- As per the current estimates, around 140 GIBs and approximately 1,000 Lesser Floricans are alive across their ranges.
About Bustard Recovery Project
- For the conservation of GIBs, the Union Government started the National Bustard Recovery Plan in 2013. In 2016, it became the Bustard Recovery Project.
- In 2018, the MoEFCC, the Rajasthan Forest Department, and the WII signed an agreement to augment conservation efforts and actions. They are operating two GIB Conservation Breeding Centres (CBC) at Sam and Ramdevra and one Lesser Florican centre at Sorsan, Rajasthan.
About the Great Indian Bustard
- The GIB (Ardeotis nigriceps) is a critical species of grassland.
- They are the State Bird of Rajasthan where they are known as Godawan. They are found primarily in Rajasthan (highest population) and Gujarat. However, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka are also their habitat, found in small numbers.
- GIBs are facing a threat of extinction. The key reasons for their decreasing population are death by electrocution with power transmission lines, hunting, depredation of eggs by other predators, and habitat loss.
- They grow very slowly which is a difficulty in conservation. They lay only a few eggs in a year and gain maturity after 3-4 years.
- Their IUCN Status is “Critically Endangered”.
- They have been protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Schedule I.
About the Lesser Florican
- The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) is the smallest member of the bustard family. They are also known as the likh or kharmore.
- They are primarily found in the tall grasslands of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
- They are also on the brink of extinction, mainly due to habitat loss and hunting.
- Their IUCN Status is “Endangered”.
- They receive protection under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
