Why in News?
Three Great Indian Bustard (Godawan) chicks bred at the Godawan Conservation Centre, Jaisalmer, have been placed in a specially designed rewilding tunnel to prepare them for release into the Desert National Park under India’s captive breeding and species recovery programme.
Background
- The initiative is part of the Great Indian Bustard Recovery Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Rajasthan Forest Department and international conservation partners.
Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)
- One of the heaviest flying birds in the world and endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
- Locally known as Godawan in Rajasthan.
- Inhabits arid grasslands, scrublands and semi-desert ecosystems.
- Rajasthan’s Desert National Park holds the largest surviving wild population.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I (highest protection)
- CITES: Appendix I
- CMS (Bonn Convention): Appendix I
Major Threats
- Collision with overhead power transmission lines (largest cause of mortality).
- Habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture, infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
- Predation of eggs and chicks by feral dogs and other predators.
- Low reproductive rate (typically one egg per breeding season).
Conservation Measures
- National Conservation Action Plan for Great Indian Bustard (2013).
- Species Recovery Programme under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme.
- Captive Breeding Centre at Jaisalmer for population augmentation.
- Undergrounding or bird diverters on power lines in priority habitats following Supreme Court directions.
- Habitat protection and predator management in key breeding areas.
[2012] Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?
(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
(b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
(c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
(d) Lion tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal