Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains –III- Environment Conservation
In News
The Great Indian Bustard (GIB), is one of theheaviest flying birds, and is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent. Barely 150 of these birds are estimated to be surviving now globally
Today, its population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat. Small population also occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Along with chick-rearing centre for GIB in Jaisalmer, Sorsan in Rajasthan has been identified as the most conducive site for their rearing, due to availability of grasslands, access to roads and well suited climatic conditions
Vanishing grasslands, uncontrolled use of pesticides and insecticides in farms which has impacted their food habitat, attacks by dogs & foxes, poaching and presence of high voltage power lines are a major threat to the GIB
Conservation status:
Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972,
Listed in Appendix I of CITES
Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List
