Campaign launched to save the Great Indian Bustard from extinction:

Overview: 

Wildlife organisations have got together to launch a campaign to save the Great Indian Bustard which in recent years has come under the critically endangered list. With the total global population of the Great Indian Bustard reaching and all time low at fewer than 150 individuals, this campaign is the need of the hour.

• The wildlife organisations that have launched the campaign are The Corbett Foundation in collaboration with Conservation India and Sanctuary Nature Foundation.
• The campaign aims at highlighting the overhead power transmission lines that result in the death of these low flying birds with a limited field of vision. This is the primary threat to the survival of the species especially in the Great Indian Bustard Habitat.

Significant threats to the GIB:

• Reduction in the extent of undisturbed arid grassland habitat.
• Degradation and disturbance in existing grassland habitat.
• Lack of importance for natural grassland conservation in policy, law and PA network due to incorrect perception on ecological value vis-a-vis forests.
• Lack of protection for many ‘lekking’ and nesting sites.
• Lack of cooperation between different departments/stakeholders in GIB habitats.
• Lack of awareness and support from local communities.
• Livestock overgrazing and feral dogs.
• Disturbance by photographers — there is now enough anecdotal evidence to show that photography of the species causes significant disturbance.

Know more about the Great Indian Bustard:

Great Indian Bustard is listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972, in the CMS Convention and in Appendix I of CITES, as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

It has also been identified as one of the species for the recovery programme under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

Project Great Indian Bustard — state of Rajasthan — identifying and fencing off bustard breeding grounds in existing protected areas as well as provide secure breeding enclosures in areas outside protected areas

Protected areas:

• Desert National Park Sanctuary — Rajasthan.
• Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary – Andhra Pradesh.
• Karera Wildlife Sanctuary– Madhya Pradesh.