Given the recent conservation efforts undertaken by the Governments of Rajasthan and Gujarat, it might just be possible to bring back the Great Indian Bustard, one of the largest and heaviest birds in the world, from the brink of extinction Typically, when the words ‘wildlife’ and ‘India’ are put together, a vision of tigers and elephants within deep dark forests with streams, giant sal and banyan trees with vines and snakes hanging, paints itself across our mind. Years of story-telling and popular images have all but cemented this image into most of us. But as a child when I first learnt about dry scrub habitats and saw images of it, it was hard to believe how any animal would want to live there or even survive. Dry scrub forests and grasslands used to cover a large part of India, and over 40 species of reptiles, numerous mammals and around 400 species of birds including many migratory species like the demoiselle cranes made it their home. These creatures and more are uniquely adapted to the challenging environment of this landscape. They not only survived but thrived here — until the human element came in. From organised royal hunts in the past to poaching, land grabbing, agriculture and developmental activities today, our dry scrub forests and grasslands are now dramatically shrinking along with the number of its animal residents. The majority of dry, arid habitats in India have been transformed owing to the growth of agriculture, irrigation plans and industry. Fragmented and reduced to a fraction of what it was, the ecosystem remains preserved in only isolated pockets like the Desert National Park in Rajasthan. The most critically endangered species here is the Great Indian Bustard. At 15 kgs, it is not only one of the largest and heaviest flying birds but also now one of the rarest in the world. When the term ‘critically endangered’ is used to describe a species, it means the survival of the species is at it’s tipping point with extinction being the next step. In the 19th century, flocks of more than 30 birds were a common sight, but by 1969 the population had dwindled to about 1,260 across the western half of India. Poaching and habitat destruction sent the GIB’s population spiralling down, with only 600 birds recorded in 2001. Today, the most optimistic estimate is less than 200 individuals in India. The largest global population is in Rajasthan with only about a 100 birds spread across the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, and Barmer, and along the cultivated and grassland areas around Bikaner. The GIB is also considered to be an ‘indicator’ species — the health of which signifies the health of the ecosystem. The rapid decline of the habitat and the bustard population finally triggered action with the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests preparing a species recovery programme in 2012. Today, it would be safe to assume that the GIB is one of India’s most endangered species. This is a sad situation for a bird that was once in the race to become the national bird of India and is the State bird of Rajasthan. Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Forest and Environment Minister Bina Kak have moved forward with a vision, and are leading the way for other GIB States to follow. A Rs 12.9 crore ‘Project Great Indian Bustard’ has been announced and a five-year plan has been mapped. The Forest Minister is taking the initiative beyond Rajasthan by collaborating with non-Government organisations to ensure the success of the project. By gathering local as well as international support, the Government aims to approach conservation on a holistic level so as to concern itself with bustard populations not only within India but in eastern Pakistan as well. It is assumed that the population in western Rajasthan and Kutch are shared with the Cholistan desert and Sindh in Pakistan, where reportedly over a four year period poaching has claimed 49 out of 63 birds. Historically hunted as a game bird, the GIB, given its present population strength and unmonitored habitat, will not be able to recover from constant poaching unless a serious and determined plan is put into action. The bustards, during their breeding season, exhibit ‘lekking’ behaviour, wherein the normally solitary male bustards gather in groups to challenge one another and attract females. This is a potentially perilous time not only due to the threat of poachers but also because the bustard, as a sensitive species, has been known to abandon nests and breeding areas if there is human disturbance. With this in mind, the Forest Department of Gujarat has issued a warning to photographers and threatened legal action against anyone entering and disturbing the breeding and nesting areas in Kutch’s Naliya grasslands. Rajasthan too is on alert and keeping a close watch on breeding areas. Experts have also recommended that since the bustards breed in a specific and restricted area, it would be possible to create disturbance-free and predator-free safe zones where breeding and nesting may continue without any risks. Feral dogs, cats, jackals and foxes have been known to cause damage. A fenced and protected area for the GIB, which usually lays only one egg, will go a long way in increasing the survival rate of the fledglings and reviving areas which were previously prime habitat for the bustard. The Rajasthan Government is ready for action and has approved the creation of protected and fenced enclosures, habitat conservation, creation of water resources and an anti-poaching force as well. The work may have only just begun but already there is a lot of support and public goodwill for the project. Signature campaigns and online petitions are requesting more action and suggesting measures. The latest update on the threatened bird species worldwide is now at 1,253, which is almost 13 per cent of the bird species that exist today. Certain species have remained on the threatened list for decades, with some slowly fading as well. If the Great Indian Bustard were to be lost forever, what would be sad is not just the fact that the grasslands of India would be a little emptier but that we would have lost an opportunity to play out our responsibility and give back to the planet. Perhaps if we do succeed in saving our most endangered bird there would be hope for other species and a story to tell and a path to follow. With so much at stake and swinging priorities, it might be a good time for all of us to consider if it is us sharing our space with other species or are they sharing their space with us? (The writer is a wildlife film-maker)
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 20:59:07 +0000
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