Jaipur, Rajasthan: Conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican species in Rajasthan have received a substantial financial boost with the compensatory afforestation fund management and planning authority (CAMPA) sanctioning INR 56 crore for the period spanning 2024 to 2029.
This funding injection, approved in partnership with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, underscores a renewed commitment to reversing the decline of these critically endangered avian species. Initiated under a comprehensive agreement inked in 2018, Rajasthan’s conservation strategy includes establishing India’s pioneering captive breeding centres for GIBs in Jaisalmer district and for Lesser Floricans in Baran district’s Sorsan area. The success of the GIB captive breeding programme is evident with the breeding centres currently nurturing a founder population of 40 individuals, including 29 birds hatched from eggs collected in the wild and 11 born through natural mating within the centres.
“The primary objective now is to bolster the population of Lesser Floricans alongside continuing efforts for the GIB,” remarked a forest official, highlighting the severe population decline of both species attributed to historical factors such as hunting, habitat loss, and predation of eggs by natural predators. Moreover, the threat posed by overhead power lines remains a critical concern, contributing significantly to avian mortality rates according to recent studies.
“The development of a dedicated hatchery centre for Lesser Floricans at Sorsan forms a pivotal part of our conservation agenda,” the official continued, emphasizing the strategic allocation of the INR 56 crore budget towards enhancing breeding facilities and habitat restoration efforts across Rajasthan. Presently, less than 140 GIBs and fewer than 1,000 Lesser Floricans survive in the wild, prompting urgent action to stabilize their populations through comprehensive conservation measures. Key components of the initiative include the imminent completion of the Conservation Breeding Centre (CBC) in Ramdevra, establishment of the Sorsan Lesser Florican facility, preparatory groundwork for releasing captive-bred birds, and extensive post-release monitoring facilitated by advanced techniques like artificial insemination.
The Wildlife Institute of India plans annual collections of two to four GIB eggs and six to ten Lesser Florican eggs to sustain breeding efforts until full-scale rebuilding commences in 2027.As Rajasthan gears up to implement these critical conservation initiatives, stakeholders anticipate a significant positive impact on biodiversity preservation and ecological sustainability in the region. The CAMPA-funded programme stands poised to chart a new course in species conservation, ensuring a future where Rajasthan’s emblematic bustard species thrive once more amidst evolving environmental challenges.
