Great Indian Bustard

Why in news?

• The Supreme Court sought the government's response about evolving a 'Project Great Indian Bustard' conservation programme like the 'Project Tiger' to bring attention to the peril faced by the critically endangered bird species.

About Great Indian Bustard:

• It is one of the heaviest flying birds (weighing up to 15kgs). They inhabit dry grasslands and scrublands on the Indian subcontinent.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List:
  • Critically Endangered species with less than 150 birds left in the wild.
• CITES:
  • Appendix I
• Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972:
  • Schedule I

Habitat:

• It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
• t is found in Rajasthan (Desert National park), Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh in India and parts of Pakistan.

Characteristics:

• Great Indian bustards are tall birds with long legs and long necks; the tallest individuals may stand up to 1.2 metres high.
• Males and females are distinguished by the colour of their feathers.
• Food Habits:
  • Great Indian bustards are omnivores. They prey on various arthropods, worms, small mammals, and small reptiles.

Threats:

• Death by collision with infrastructure, particularly power lines and wind turbines
• Depletion of grasslands
• Hunting
• Development of mines and human habitation in and around their habitats among others.

Conservation Initiatives:

• Project Great Indian Bustard:
  • It was launched by Rajasthan Government with the objective of conservation of the remaining population of critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) locally called Godawan.
• Firefly bird diverters:
  •  These are flaps installed on power lines, a reason for many deaths among GIB. They work as reflectors for bird species like the GIB. Birds can spot them from a distance of about 50 meters and change their path of flight to avoid collision with power lines.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding Great Indian Bustards

1. They are classified as critically endangered in IUCN red list.

2. They are found only in Himalayas

 (a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer