Why in the news?
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that three new chicks have been added under Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB), taking the captive population to 94 birds.
Key Highlights
- The three chicks emerged from: 1 wild-collected egg, and 2 captive-laid eggs.
- Total chicks hatched in the fourth year of captive breeding: 26.
- The captive breeding population has now increased to 94 birds.
- More chicks are expected during the current breeding season.
About the Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
- Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps
- One of the heaviest flying birds in the world.
- Endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
- State Bird of Rajasthan.
- Habitat
- Arid and semi-arid grasslands.
- Open scrublands.
- Dry agricultural landscapes.
- Distribution: Rajasthan (largest population), Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
- Protection Status: Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Listed in Appendix I of CITES.
- Included under Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
[2020] With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?
1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.
3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3