What is the government’s conservation plan for ‘endangered’ Great Indian Bustards? Read Here:

The Government of India is taking a number of steps to conserve and protect the Great Indian Bustard across the nation. With the exception of some areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat, the Great Indian Bustard, one of the biggest flying birds in the world, has vanished from 90% of its natural range. The species is considered to be “critically endangered,” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Conservation Plan for Great Indian Bustards

The Great Indian Bustard is listed in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby according it the highest degree of legal protection from hunting

Read here: https://t.co/STICsi0U1g#ParliamentQuestion @moefcc

— PIB India (@PIB_India) March 27, 2023

In this regard, Important steps taken by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change are:

1. The Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 has listed the Great Indian Bustard in Schedule-I. Under Schedule I, it covers endangered species that need rigorous protection. The species is given protection from poaching, killing, and trading. Species under this Schedule are prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life or in case of a disease that is beyond recovery.
2. Important habitats of Great Indian Bustards are designated as National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries for their better protection.
3. The species has been identified for conservation efforts under the component ‘Species Recovery Programme’ of the centrally sponsored scheme- Development of Wildlife Habitats. The species has been designated for conservation efforts under the centrally sponsored scheme for the development of wildlife habitats’ component “Species Recovery Programme.” Under the plan, state and union territory governments get financial and technical support to improve protection for the Great Indian Bustard and its habitat.
4. In order to develop a captive population of the species for release into the wild and to promote in-situ conservation of the species, conservation breeding of the Great Indian Bustard has been undertaken in collaboration with the forest departments of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
5. The Wildlife Institute of India, the Rajasthan and Gujarat Forest Departments, as well as international experts, helped identify potential locations for the construction of a conservation breeding facility for the Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican birds. At Sam, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, a satellite conservation breeding station has been set up.
6. Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Development of Wildlife Habitats for Conservation of Wildlife, Including for the Great Indian Bustard, the Ministry offers financial support to the states and union territories. The Environment Ministry received a request from the Rajasthani government for the in-situ preservation of the Great Indian Bustard. The State Board for WildLife must approve the proposal before it can be taken into consideration for financial support from the State Plan, the Ministry has informed the Government of Rajasthan.

This information was given by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.