Why in News- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has approved a conservation plan for Great Indian Bustard and Rs 56 crore for conservation of Lesser Florican.
Great Indian Bustard and their Habitats
- The Great Indian Bustard is the largest of the four bustard species found in India.
- The other three species are MacQueen’s Bustard, Lesser Florican and Bengal Florican.
- These species mainly inhabit the arid and semi-arid regions of India like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
- The conservation plan focuses on restoring and protecting these natural habitats to support the survival and recovery of these birds.
Lesser Florican and its Habitat
- It is the smallest member of the bustard family and the only representative of the Scyphiotides genus.
- It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, found mainly in tall grasslands.
- These bustards are seen in greater numbers in northwestern and central India during summer, while in winter they are widely distributed throughout India.
- It is a highly endangered species.
- The Lesser Florican is facing severe threats from both hunting and habitat degradation.
Conservation status
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Critically Endangered
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix-1
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix-I
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
Conservation Efforts for Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican
- The comprehensive plan aims to address multiple aspects of conservation through advanced techniques such as habitat development, in-situ conservation and artificial insemination.
- The conservation plan includes habitat development to restore and preserve the natural environment essential for the survival of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican.
- In-situ conservation efforts will be undertaken in several states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- The main focus is the completion of the Conservation Breeding Centre (CBC) at Ramdevra, Jaisalmer.
- These centres will facilitate the breeding and rearing of captive-bred birds, which will later be released into their natural habitats.
Conservation Efforts by Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court of India is actively monitoring the conservation programme of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican.
- A petition seeking protection of these species is pending before the Court.
- Earlier, the Supreme Court had ordered the burial of power transmission lines in Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitats to prevent bird collisions.
- However, this order was withdrawn in 2024 due to practical and financial constraints.
- The Court has tasked an expert committee to comprehensively study and resolve the issue.
Conservation Challenges of Great Indian Bustard
Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Conversion of grasslands to agricultural land, urban development and industrial activities have resulted in loss and fragmentation of critical habitat for the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
- Degradation of their natural habitat is one of the primary causes of their decline.
Poaching
- Poaching has historically been a significant threat to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
- Although it is now illegal, small incidents of poaching still occur, leading to a decline in their population.
Collision with power lines
- Overhead power lines are a serious threat to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
- Due to their large size and poor frontal vision, these birds are prone to colliding with power lines, causing fatal injuries.
- A study conducted in 2017-18 estimated that about 88,000 birds of various species die every year due to such collisions.
Predation of eggs and chicks
- Predation by animals and birds, along with human interference, affects the survival rate of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) eggs and chicks, leading to a decline in their population.
National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)
- National CAMPA was set up to promote afforestation and regeneration activities as a compensatory measure for the loss of forest land diverted for non-forest purposes.
- The Authority is responsible for managing the funds collected from these compensatory afforestation projects and ensuring their effective utilisation.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
- The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) located in Dehradun is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
- It is dedicated to wildlife research, education and training.
- The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) promotes the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard and the Indian Species through scientific research and management practices.
- The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is collaborating with Abu Dhabi-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation to implement artificial insemination techniques.
- This partnership aims to leverage the successful practices of the UAE to boost conservation efforts in India.
Initiatives taken by the Government for Conservation of Great Indian Bustard
National Bustard Recovery Plan (2013)
- The National Bustard Recovery Plan was launched to address the declining population of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) through habitat conservation, research and awareness programmes.
Bustard Recovery Project (2016)
- This project succeeded the National Bustard Recovery Plan and focused on long-term recovery efforts including the establishment of conservation breeding centres and in-situ conservation measures.
Tripartite Agreement (2018)
- A tripartite agreement was signed between MoEFCC, Rajasthan Forest Department and WII to enhance conservation efforts for Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
- The agreement aims to take coordinated action for habitat restoration and breeding programmes.
Measures for Conservation of Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
Habitat Restoration and Protection
- Efforts should focus on restoring and protecting the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
- This includes creation and maintenance of grasslands and other critical habitats, ensuring they are free from agricultural and industrial encroachments.
Reducing Power Line Collisions
- Installation of bird diverters on power lines in Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitats can significantly reduce the risk of collisions.
- Additionally, consideration should be given to shifting power lines away from critical habitats or burying them underground, where possible.
Strengthening legal protection
- It is important to ensure strict adherence to wildlife protection laws to prevent hunting and poaching.
- This includes increasing patrolling in protected areas and making local communities aware about the importance of conservation of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
Re-captive breeding
- Expanding and supporting captive breeding programmes, such as the Conservation Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer, can help increase the population of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
- Successful re-introduction of captive-bred birds into the wild, along with constant monitoring, is essential for their survival.
Community engagement and awareness
- Involving local communities in conservation efforts through awareness programmes and involving them in habitat restoration activities can enhance the success of conservation initiatives.
- It is important to educate the public about the ecological importance of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and the threats they face.
Research and monitoring
- Continued research on the ecology, behaviour and population dynamics of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is needed to inform conservation strategies.
- Regular population monitoring and data collection can help track the success of conservation efforts and identify areas requiring attention.