BENGALURU: While experts agree that Karnataka has a sizeable population of Great Indian Bustards despite destruction of its habitat, there seems to be no consensus on its population.
Estimates range from 4-30 birds in the four districts of Ballari, Raichur, Koppal and Haveri.
Experts say that the rarely sighted bird will become extinct in five years if efforts are not made to save it.
Wildlife conservationist and former wildlife warden, Ballari, Santosh Martin, who has been documenting and tracking these birds for the last nine years, said in the last five-six months, there have been two sightings — one in Siruguppa and the other in Koppal.
“In fact, these birds had been sighted in this area every one-two years,” he said. He said that Karnataka’s bustard population of 20-30 also includes breeding ones.
“We have been able to document a bird for nine months that had laid an egg in a mustard field at Siruguppa,” he said.
Since the forest department is still in the process of formulating a plan for its conservation, the exact population of these birds is uncertain.
Diwakar, director of World Wildlife Fund-India, programme management and monitoring and evaluation, who is handling the Bustard project of WII, said, “The population in Karnataka is very small. Maybe just three or four. One needs authentic data with locations. As it is, India has about 200 birds. But we do not know the exact numbers as they are migratory and it is difficult to get a real estimate. The scene in some states is such that they have been counted twice.”
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has been working for bustard conservation for more than a decade.
Pramod Patil, BNHS bustard advocacy officer, said, “We cannot say how many birds the state has, but we are sure that it has a sizable population.”
Martin, however, said despite double counting, Karnataka will have 15-20 birds.
He said since bustards migrate from here to the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh, bird groups tracked in Siruguppa can be seen in Dolapada in Andhra Pradesh.
“Our rough estimate is that both the states have 15-20 birds each. However, we are sure they do not go to Maharashtra, Gujarat or Rajasthan. Our years of study has revealed that we have a good breeding population too,” Martin added.
Critically Endangered
The bustards, listed as critically endangered, are large and very rarely sighted. They are targetted by poachers for the meat.
Martin said in Ballari district, villagers use illegal weapons to kill blackbucks and bustards. It is easy to kill them as the birds do not get scared even if you go 10 feet near them.
“We have tried to bring it (poaching) to the notice of the police, but they have not shown any interest. Even the forest department’s attitude is lackadaisical. There should be a collaborative effort between police and the forest department if we have to save these birds from extinction. In another 4-5 years, if concerted action is not taken and captive breeding not carried out, we will lose them forever,” he added.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/Uncertainty-Surrounds-Future-of-Great-Indian-Bustards-in-Karnataka/2015/04/21/article2775073.ece