GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD
What is great Indian bustard?
Introduction:
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is the state bird of Rajasthan and is considered to be the most critically endangered bird of India. It is considered to be the flagship species of grassland, representing the grassland ecosystem. They are mostly found in Rajasthan and Gujarat. This species is found in small numbers in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The Great Indian Bustard is known as Godavan. It is called son Chiraiya. Its scientific name is Ardeotis nigriceps. It is a large sized bird which is about one meter tall and weighs 15 kg. It is the heaviest bird among the flying birds. Its large size looks like an Ostrich. It is the state bird of Rajasthan. It is an omnivorous bird, its main food is locusts, insects etc.
Habitat area of the Great Indian Bustard.
Great Indian Bustard is found in the dry and humid grasslands of India and Pakistan.
It is seen in state of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and possibly Madhya Pradesh.
Its largest population is in Rajasthan. It is found in the desert garden of Jaisalmer, Sorsan and Shokaliya area of Ajmer.
Conservation status:
International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List: Critically Endangered.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS).
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Desert national park: –
The National Desert Park which is made for the conservation of Great Indian Bustard, this desert is spread over an area of 3162 square kilometers. It includes 53 villages of Barmer and 35 villages of Jaisalmer. In terms of area, it is the largest sanctuary of Rajasthan. The largest number of Great Indian Bustard birds in Rajasthan are found in this park. this sanctuary area is called the refuge of Great Indian Bustard.
MADHY PRADESH: –
Karera Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It was established in the year 1981 for the conservation of Great Indian Bustard.
Conservation measures for the Great Indian Bustard.
The Rajasthan government started a project. This project was started on Environment Day in 2013. It is called Project Great Indian Bustard on 5 June 2013. The advertisement of the project was Meri Udaan Na Roko. An attempt was made to reduce human pressure on their habitats. Its purpose was to develop infrastructure for their conservation.
It is among the 17 species selected under the Species Recovery Programme being carried out under Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Government of India.
MOEFCC has launched a program called Indian Habitat Improvement and Conservation Breeding of Great Indian Bustard An Integrated Approach. The aim of this programme is to increase the population of Great Indian Bustard by releasing their babies in the wild
In April 2021, the Supreme Court constituted a committee to conserve the Great Indian Bustard in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
