Context
The Supreme Court swooped-in to intervene on behalf of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustards over the birds falling dead after colliding with power lines running through their dwindling natural habitats in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
About Great Indian Bustard
- The great Indian bustard(Ardeotisnigriceps) or Indian bustard is a bustard found on the Indian subcontinent.
- This bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds.
- The great Indian bustard is omnivorous.
- It is commonly found on the dry plains of the Indian subcontinent.
- As few as 150 individuals were estimated to survive in 2018.
- In 2011 Birdlife International up-listed it from Endangered to Critically Endangered
- Habitat: This species was formerly widespread in India and Pakistan.
- The bird is found in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat states of India.
- Threat: The main threats are hunting and habitat loss.
- The collision with the power lines is also a major concern now.
- Conservation Status
- It is listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- In the CMS Convention and Appendix I of CITES.
- Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016).
- It is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 of India.
- It has also been identified as one of the species for the recovery program under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.
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Important conservation sites in different states
- Desert National Park, Rajasthan
- Coastal grasslands of the Abdasa and Mandvitalukas of Kutch District of Gujarat
- Ghatigaon and Karera sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh
- Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Kutch,
- Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Maharashtra
- Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh
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