Bustard is listed as critically endangered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
After facing apathy from the state as well as central government for years, the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard population would get a shot in arm as on Wednesday, the state government, central government and the Wildlife Institute of India would ink a Memorandum of Understanding to set up a captive breeding and hatchery near Sorsan in Kota district.
The population of bustard in Rajasthan, of which the bird is the state bird, has been dwindling for the past two decades to an extent that now only a few dozen of these birds are left in the wild.
In 2016, the government finally recognised the need to take effective measures for conservation of this species and in 2017, the WII decided to set up the centres at 10 locations in Rajasthan and other areas.
“Sorsan has a humid climate, better than the dry grasslands of Jaisalmer and Barmer districts where these birds are in higher number. However, the climate of Sorsan suits for breeding purposes and thus the location was chosen while last year an egg hatchery was also approved by the Chief Minister to be set up in Jaisalmer,” said an official requesting anonymity.
Captive breeding is beneficial in the current scenario as it negates possibility of attack on eggs and chicks by predators in the wild and also aids in growth. “In natural conditions, the breeding is slow and as such a female gives just one egg at a time. If that too is attacked by predators or the chick is lost due to other reasons, the entire population suffers the onslaught,” the official said, adding, “It is expected that nearly a year will be taken for construction of the breeding centre and hatchery. For this, Rs 33 crore has been allotted to be delivered in installments depending on the work progress.”
However, the centre and hatchery can’t ensure that numbers would increase quickly.
“It is a long process that would span from10 to 15 years for first results to come. There have been success in similar cases in the Middle East also and we hope our programme will also be a success so that these birds can once again roam the desert grasslands in huge numbers,” official said.
Factfile
2016 The decision to set up such centres in Rajasthan was taken by the central government keeping in mind the declining population of Great Indian Bustard, which is listed as critically endangered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
2017, The Wildlife Institute of India decided to set up egg collection and hatching centres at 10 locations in Rajasthan and other areas.
Rs 33 crore has been allotted for construction of the breeding centre and hatchery. It will be delivered in installments.
Why Sorsan?
Sorsan has a humid climate, better than the dry grasslands of Jaisalmer and Barmer districts where these birds are in higher number. However, the climate of Sorsan suits for breeding purposes and thus the location was chosen while last year an egg hatchery was also approved by the Chief Minister to be set up in Jaisalmer.
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