Great Indian Bustard

Why in news?

• Central government informed the Rajya Sabha that there were no Great Indian Bustards (GIB) in Kutch Bustard Sanctuary (KBS) in Gujarat’s Kutch district as on January 1 this year.

About Great Indian Bustard

• The Great Indian Bustard or Indian bustard is among the heaviest of the flying birds.
• Once common on the dry plains of the Indian subcontinent, as few as 130 individuals were estimated to survive in 2019 and the species is critically endangered by hunting and loss of its habitat.

Where can these species be found?

• This species was formerly widespread in India and Pakistan. Today the bustard is restricted to isolated pockets in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan (shared with Pakistan).
• The habitat where it is most often found is arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation. It avoids irrigated areas.

Threats and conservation issues:

• They are classified as critically endangered in IUCN red list.
• The biggest threat to this species is hunting, and occasional poaching outside Protected Areas.
• Other threats include habitat loss and alteration as a result of widespread agricultural expansion and mechanized farming, infrastructural development such as irrigation, roads, electric poles, as well as mining and industrialization.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding Great Indian Bustard:
1.It is classified as a ‘critically endangered species’ by IUCN.
2.It is a large flightless bird endemic to India.
3.It prefers thick deciduous forests as habitat.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1,2 and 3

Answer to the Prelims Question