A minimum of 12 Nice Indian Bustards (GIBs) had been noticed in a gaggle within the wild in Rajasthan, in a serious enhance to efforts to preserve one in every of India’s most critically endangered species.
The birds, regionally recognized in northern and western India as “Godawan” and “Maldhok”, had been noticed at Desert Nationwide Park (DNP), positioned close to the cities of Jaisalmer and Barmer, on Monday.
“The 12 Nice Indian Bustards had been captured in a single body. Earlier, they had been seen collectively contained in the DNP closure (Sudashri space). In October and February 2023, 9 birds had been seen collectively contained in the DNP space. This (newest) picture reveals the outcomes of the efforts being taken to guard the endangered state chook. It additionally reveals the necessity and significance of the closure made throughout the DNP space,” Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Ashish Vyas stated.
The GIB is a extremely endangered chook species discovered within the Thar space of Rajasthan. Immediately, solely 173 birds are left, of which, 128 are discovered within the wild and the remaining are bred in captivity.
Moreover Rajasthan, the chook is present in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
In 2011, the birds had been listed as “critically endangered” by IUCN Purple Record. (Dr Ashish Vyas, DCF, Desert Nationwide Park)
In 2011, the GIBs had been listed as “critically endangered” – the very best degree of menace – by the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Purple Record. In keeping with IUCN, looking, disturbance, habitat loss and fragmentation had been amongst elements that had diminished the inhabitants of those magnificent species.
Two years later, Rajasthan turned the primary state to launch a Rs 12.90 crore price undertaking to avoid wasting the GIB. The state adopted a two-pronged technique to preserve the species – shield its pure habitat and enhance situations for breeding.
Up to now, 45 chicks have been bred in two websites – one in Sam and the opposite in Ramdevra.
“The birds that had been noticed collectively on Monday had been born within the wild. They’re largely females, about three to 4 years outdated. A few of them can also be males of as much as one 12 months of age. We shield these birds by bettering the grasslands, that are their pure habitat. These birds are omnivorous and feed on bugs and desert fruits. So, when their habitat is improved, they’ve sufficient meals. We additionally fence the areas they’re present in to guard them from predators just like the desert fox, the desert cat and the mongoose,” Mr Vyas stated.
“These birds lay their eggs within the floor however the eggs are sometimes carried away by the predators. By fencing their habitat, we make sure that they’ll efficiently breed within the wild. They’re additionally shielded from cattle that usually stray into these grasslands. The fenced areas are patrolled by the sector employees,” he added.
Not too long ago in October, the state authorities’s GIB conservation programme touched one other milestone when for the primary time ever, scientists on the Nationwide Conservation Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer hatched a GIB chick by synthetic insemination.
The little chick, a male, is now practically 4 months outdated and has been named “Arambh”.
In 2018, the Wildlife Institute of India, in collaboration with the Authorities of India, Authorities of Rajasthan and Forest Division, established the Nice Indian Bustard Synthetic Breeding Heart in Jaisalmer below the Bustard Restoration Program. The programme goals to extend the GIB inhabitants.