Great Indian Bustard
#GS-03 Biodiversity Conservation
For Prelims:
Great Indian Bustards:
- The Great Indian Bustard is easily recognisable by its black cap over a pale head and neck.
- The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is the State bird of Rajasthan.
- It is considered India’s most critically endangered bird.
- It is considered the flagship grassland species, representing the health of the grassland ecology.
- The Great Indian Bustard is the largest flying bird in its native region, standing at about 3.3 ft tall.
- Both the male and female are roughly the same size and re distinguished by the colour of their feathers.
- It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and found in parts of India and Pakistan.
Earlier present in 11 states of India, they are now restricted to the following 6 states today.
- Andhra Pradesh
- Gujarat
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
- Madhya Pradesh
- Rajasthan
IUCN Status : Critically Endangered
CITES : Appendix1
Convention on Migratory Species : Appendix I
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 : Schedule 1
For Mains
Major Threats:
- Death by collision with infrastructure, particularly power lines and wind turbines
- Depletion of grasslands
- Hunting, (still prevalent in Pakistan)
- Development of mines and human habitation in and around their habitats among others.
Conservation measures taken:
Project Great Indian Bustard:
- It has been launched by the Rajasthan government with an aim of constructing breeding enclosures for the species and developing infrastructure to reduce human pressure on its habitats.
Species Recovery Programme:
- GIB is kept under the species recovery programme under the Integrated evelopment of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Conservation Breeding Facility:
- MoEF&CC, Rajasthan government and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have also established a conservation breeding facility in Desert National Park at Jaisalmer in June 2019.
Source ” SC seeks Centre’s response on evolving a programme to protect Great Indian Bustard“
