Taking up the cause of the endangered Great Indian Bustard

Taking up the cause of the endangered great Indian Bustard,
Indian Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh has written to Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, requesting him to conserve one of the last remaining habitats of the golden birds – The Adbassa Grasslands in Kutch, Gujarat - India.

Hon. Minister has expressed concern at the dwindling population of the birds and sought steps to prevent diversions of revenue land for agriculture purposes in the grassland in Naliya area in Kutch.

Promising all the possible help in this direction, he has urged Chief Minister - Mr.Modi to personally intervene to save the habit ant of the golden birds whose number has reduced to 500 in the world.

“I am writing to request you to immediately intervene and prevent the diversion of revenue gauchar land to agriculture and to ensure that the district officials support the Naliya conservation initiatives”.

“If we do not intervene the possibility of the birds going extinct in Gujarat is very real and high,” the Union Minister said in the letter to Mr. Modi.

Though covering an area of only about 20sq. km, Adbassa Grassland is considered very important for bird conservation as three species of bustard are found there. The endangered Great Indian Bustard is a resident, the endangered Lesser Florican breeds here during Monsoon and the near- threatened Macqueen’s Bustard is a winter visitor.

Minister Mr.Ramesh also drew the attention of Chief Minister Mr.Modi to the fact that the bird was once proposed to be adopted as the India’s national bird and hence “its conservation is equally important as that of Lions and tigers”.

Listed in Schedule-1 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the bird is classified as “endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red List 2002.
IUCN has warned that the Great Indian Bustard could become extinct within a decade. Listed in appendix- 1 of the Contention on international trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flore, international trade and killing of the bird is prohibited.

COURTESY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - The Times of India, Ahmedabad - Monday, June, 28, 2010

Published by:- Adler Tours & Safaris, Rajkot, Gujarat, India - Ph. Nos. 0091 281 2465237 / 2483878 Mobile - 0091 94262 28778

GLOBAL BIRD WATCHER'S CONFERENCE 2010 25-27th Nov. - Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Jamnagar District, Gujarat, India.

Located at the watershed of River Ruparel and Kalindri at the North East coastal region of Jamnagar district in the Gulf of Kutch, is a very special and unique ecosystem.

In Khijadiya, the migratory birds of the Eurasian Continent find both freshwater and marine habitat for nesting and resting. The unique ecosystem is partly man made and partly Nature's bounty. Reclamation bunds were built during the British era to prevent saline ingression in the soil and as a result two separate lakes were formed by water that drains from the Rivers Ruparel and Kalindri. These lake provide freshwater ecosystem during winter when the Birds Migrate to this area and the Kutch sea coast with its mangroves and marshy coast provides yet another ideal destination for migratory birds.

The Sanctuary is spread over both the lakes and the sea coast and is in two parts. One part is known as Dhunvav and the other is called Jambuda, named after the villages near which they are located. The Marshes and the Creeks on the Marine side supports Mangroves and other marine vegetation while the Sanctuary on the land's side has the native variety of Babul, Prosopis and other shrubs that support a large fauna other than the avian variety.

Location
Location Map




Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is only 15 kms from the city of Jamnagar, which is home to the world's largest grass root refinery. From the Jamnagar Railway station, it is at a distance of 18 kms. By road it is 4 kms from the Khijadiya Patiya on the Rajkot - Dwaraka State highway no.25.


Eco- Tourism
With increasing awareness being spread about ecological preservation among the generation next from schools and media, there is a surge in interest about knowing and conserving Nature and its resources. Gujarat wishes the people to know about the Bird Sanctuaries in the state beyond Nalsarovar.

Harriers throng Blackbuck National Park,Velavadar, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat.

HARRIERS THRONG BLACKBUCK SANCTUARY

Good rains in the areas have strengthened food chain for winged guests.

Rajkot:-

Wildlife lovers and bird watchers here have a reason to smile. At a time when everybody is celebrating ‘World Wildlife Week’, Harriers, in large numbers, have arrived at Blackbuck National Park (BNP), Velavadar in Bhavnagar district. Experts said more of Harriers are still coming to the park from Siberia.

Forest officials said BNP is the largest roosting site for Harriers in the world. Harriers, the slender, bare-legged, long-winged and long toiled hawks with an owl like facial ruff, are considered farmers’ friends as they are “birds of prey”. R.L. Meena, Chief Conservator of Forests (Junagadh Wildlife Circle), said Harriers have been sighted in good numbers at BNP and surrounding areas. “We expect more of them this year as the area has received very good rains this year and the food chain for Harriers is very good. Harriers are vital indicators of the health of eco system, as their pray base is insects which depend on crops.”

Of the l6 Harrier species in the world, four types —Montagu Harriers, Pallid Harriers, Eurasian Marsh Harriers and Hen Harriers — visit the park in Velavadar in winters every year.

“About 500 Harriers of all four species have arrived at BNP. The Harriers are the only diurnal ‘raptor group or birds of prey’ nesting and roosting on the ground. The roost sites here are critical resources for Harriers’ survival as they spend considerable time over there. These sites are usually grasslands where they get concealment and, thus, protection from both predators and cold weather,” Meena said.

“We are creating awareness among the farmers around the BNP and have asked them not to use pesticide in the crop fields as it will affect the food chain of Harriers. The grassland at BNP is maintained very well and it provides them good roosting site,” Meena told TOT.

“We will conduct Harrier population estimation probably in last week of October to get an idea about their presence. Forest department carries out the population estimations every year to understand the bird’s changing habitat, behavior, and migration patterns among others for a better conservation,” said J.S. Solanki, Assistant Conservator of Forests, BNP.

Officials said that only 979 Harriers had re ported in 2009, the number being the lowest in a decade. Their poor presence was attributed to scanty rains that the area received last year.

This year, however, Bhavnagar district received 116 per cent rainfall. The Harriers are showing their approval of the climate by turning up in large numbers. The park officials expect their number will go unto 2,000 this year.

Scavenger, good for Eco System

“Harriers are also known to scavenge in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur (Rajasthan). Eurasian Marsh Harriers have been observed scavenging on the remains of water fowls such as Coots, Common Teal and Indian Moorhen, Fish and large mammals like Spotted Deer.” This is mentioned in field guide ‘Enhancing our Heritage (E0H): Managing and Monitoring for Success in World Natural Heritage Sites” produced as part of UNESCO-IUCN project to spread awareness about conservation of the bird.

Courtesy:-Times Of India, Ahmadabad-Wed., Oct.06 2010