BENGALURU: Karnataka has finally drafted a master plan for conservation of the elusive Great Indian Bustard (GIB) threatened with extinction in the state.
The endangered GIB is now found in tiny pockets in Ballari, Raichur, Koppal and Haveri districts where they inhabit scrub and waste lands, and sometimes also the farm lands in the northeastern parts of the state.
The comprehensive master plan, focusing on landscape-level community-based conservation, will go a long way in mitigating the problems threatening its survival and will involve the local communities in the species recovery plan.
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which has been working on the conservation of this critically endangered species for the past decade, has prepared the master plan for Karnataka, which is considered an ideal habitat for this beautiful species.
At present, the state may have around 4 - 30 birds, which are rarely sighted or studied. However, wildlife experts reckon that a sizable population may exist in the four districts.
Speaking to Express, Dr Pramod Patil, BNHS, GIB Advocacy Officer said the plan focuses attention on a large landscape with the involvement of local communities. “Karnataka has been in the forefront of conservation of larger species like elephants and tigers for a long time. Now, it has to focus on the northern areas that are contiguous with Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and also look at landscape conservation on private lands,” he said.
“We have suggested both long- and short- term measures for conservation of GIBs in the drylands of the Deccan Plateau region. These regions, where a considerable number of other species too exist, have been neglected and there is good scope for conservation of GIBs.”
Studies have to be done in Karnataka to ascertain and identify these big, mysterious birds in various pockets of the state but for this, funds are needed, says Dr Patil. “We submitted the master plan a month back, and now the state government has to take a call, and devise and implement a project.”
Dr Patil said this bird is a non-harmful species, and called for efforts to develop community networks to identify and conserve it and also other species like Chinkara, Montana Lizard, etc.
Additional PCCF (Wildlife) Ajai Mishra said the master plan document is being studied and has been sent to relevant people for comments.
He said, “We are awaiting comments and looking for more components that could be added for GIBs conservation in the state. We are also looking at other districts like Chitradurga, and Dharwad which are likely to have these birds. A comprehensive conservation project will be finalised soon.”
According to Bombay Natural History Society, there is an urgent need to identify tiny pockets of GIBs in the vast landscape of Karnataka. Since there is no support for exclusive studies on this large bird, research has to be integrated with conservation, it says. As for captive breeding of these birds, Karnataka is yet to make any headway while Rajasthan and Gujarat have already started doing so as they have viable populations. BNHS has recommended habitat mapping, which can help identify the ‘probable hot spots’ and give the correct population statistics.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/Karnataka-Gets-Master-Plan-to-Conserve-Bustards/2015/07/29/article2946442.ece