Great Indian Bustards in peril

With only 300 left, Number has reduced by half since 2000

The #GreatIndianBustard, which has been listed as a critically #endangeredbird, is steadily moving towards extinction.

A global population count reveals that there are just around 300 birds left, compared to 600 in the year 2000 and 1260 in 1969.

In Nannaj, Maharashtra, the recent count was nine compared to 21 last year and 24 in 2008. Bustards endemic to the Indian subcontinent are seen in just six States, compared to 11 historically. They are seen in Rajasthan (shared with Pakistan), Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, #Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. They are no longer seen in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.

The largest population of 100-125 birds is in Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan. Other places have fewer than 35 birds each. These findings were published in a recent paper, titled “Running out of time? The Great Indian Bustards”, of the #WildlifeInstituteofIndia (WII) and the Bombay Natural History Society (#BNHS). The figures were compiled from statistics taken from the forest departments of different states. Experts say the drastic fall in the numbers of Bustards brings up the need to develop core breeding areas and a landscape conservation strategy for the birds.

WII researcher Sutirtha Dutta told Times of India that while there is no “robust monitoring: of the Bustard count, the rapid decline in numbers is pretty evident. “Human interventions like infrastructure development (roads, electricity poles), conversion of agricultural land hunting - are factors contributing to the declining Bustard population,” he said.

“Bustards are terrestrial and low flying birds. They can collide with electricity poles or get hit by vehicles. These birds prefer wide, open, short grass plains and open scrubland with scattered trees. During mid-summer and the monsoons, they congregate in traditional areas to breed and avoid human disturbance. In crop lands, it is speculated that pesticides have a detrimental effect on their reproduction and survival.”

The Great Indian Bustards are slow reproducing species, Dutta said, “They have a long life span and lay just one egg a year. There is no telemetry study (useful for monitoring threatened species at the individual level) done to know their movements”, he said.

Scientific experts have stressed that there is a need to initiate a conservation breeding program for the bird. Such breeding has been taken up in Europe and Africa. The paper states that closer home, the Bustard haven in Maharashtra has seen rapid industrialization and an increase in human population over the last 30 years.

The shift in the agriculture practice – from monsoon crops like sorghum and millet to sugarcane and grapes now- has resulted in a severe habitat loss for the Bustards. Pramod Patil, who works for the conservation and protection of Bustards in the state, said the bird’s future lies in the proper protection of core breeding grasslands and promotion of traditional organic farming.

When contacted, M K Rao, conservator of forests (wildlife), Pune, said no eggs of the Great Indian Bustard have been found in Nannaj over the last three years. “We are not sure whether the eggs were destroyed. Bustards need an environment free of disturbance to lay their eggs. Grazing and the movement of vehicles and people affect them” he said.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, 24 Friday, December,2010.

Flamingos make Rann of Kutch home this winter

The heavy rainfall in arid #Kutch this monsoon may have played spoilsport for agrarian community in the region but it has provided #Flamingo birds an ideal and favorable breeding place for a longer time. Thousands of Flamingos flock to the region for breeding every year.

According to Dr B.M. Parasharya, Joint Secretary, #BirdConservationSociety (#Gujarat), a good monsoon in #GreaterRannofKutch has provided the bird favorable conditions for Birds for breeding.This year it has been quite encouraging for the Flamingos here. “When there is a good monsoon and food chain is available for these birds, they extend their stay till April as well,” Parasharya told TOI.

Parasharya is an #ornithologist and an expert on Flamingo. “It is good news for Kutch that they have not been reported elsewhere like Mumbai. Apparently, they have found an ideal place this season,” Parasharya said.

The Flamingo city is located in Greater Rann of Kutch. It is near the border areas and is often inaccessible for common people and this provide the birds a secure place.
But, what has come as good news for Kutch, has spelt disappointment for Mumbai people. Though the migratory birds have kept their date with the Mumbai city, large flocks have been absent this year from bird watching hot spots like Sewri and Vashi.

September onwards every year, many Mumbai people look forward to the arrival of #migratorybirds, especially Flamingos. But this time round, the pink-feathered birds are clearly missing. “Generally, by the end of November, large flocks of waders can be seen at mudflats and creeks and the city. But this year, the flocks have shrunk,” said Adesh Shivkar, an ornithologist in the city.

Among such species are #RedShanks, #Plovers, #Wagtails and #Warblers, which come to wetlands like Uran, besides Sewri and Vashi. The numbers of even #RosyStarlings and birds of prey such as #Osprey, #Buzzards and #MarshHarriers have dwindled.

“There is a clear decline in the number of migratory birds spotted in the city compared to previous years. Earlier, we could easily spot waders and Aquila Eagles in good numbers,” Shivkar said.

Ornithologists said some birds, including Flamingos, did not migrate to the region this year because of the prolonged Monsoon. “Flamingos breed in the Rann of Kutch and migrate to Mumbai in search of food. This year, however, Kutch received good
Rainfall, as a result of which algae (flamingos’ food) has been available in plenty” said Mayuresh Khatavkar, who leads bird-watching trails for environmental organizations like Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

“Only when the water starts receding in the Rann, will the birds migrate to this region (Mumbai). This could take a couple of months,” he said.

Many migratory birds come from Central Europe, Central Asia, Siberia, Mongolia, the Middle East, the Himalayas and the trans-Himalayan region. Some, like the Amur Falcon, are passage migrants, which, on their way from Mongolia and Central Russia to Africa, halt in India.

Water Birds’ number in Asia on decline :-

According to a recent study — State of the World’s Water Birds, 2010— by Wetlands International, the water bird population in Asia has come down drastically. The reason, it says, is threats like pollution, conversion of wetlands for development projects and degradation of marshes and lakes.

Though no scientific study is being carried out on the decline in the birds’ numbers, ornithologists cite climatic and ecological changes as the main reasons. Rahul Chowhan, who has published a scientific paper on the #avifauna of Borivli’s #mangroves, said: “Till a year ago, birds like Rosy Starlings could be easily spoiled here. But there are hardly any this year, particularly around the Gorai creek.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, Ahemdabad, 23rd december, 2010.

Indian High Court land deals in Gir lion Sanctuary periphery

Indian High Court stays land deals in Gir Lion Sanctuary, Sasan, Gujarat periphery

The Gujarat High Court has stayed land deals in the periphery of the lions’ den — the Gir Lion Sanctuary — as the issue of possession of land by non-Maldharis (nomadic herdsmen who live in the Gujarat state of India.) in the surrounding forest reserve is to be resolved before the division bench.

Earlier, a single-judge bench held that the land was allotted to Maldharis towards rehabilitation purpose. But since the land was sold to other people, it frustrates the purpose of conservation of forest and hence should be taken back by the forest department as per the Indian Forest and Wildlife Protection Act.

After declaring Gir Forest as Sanctuary, the Government in 1977 began shifting 845 Maldharis from the forest to the outskirts and allotted plots for their rehabilitation. Some 588 families were given land in the periphery of the Sanctuary. However, revenue department later allowed them to sell the land to non-Maidharis and 292 plots were sold out.

The Forest department said, those Maidharis who sold their land actually went back to the forest. Hence the purpose for allotting the land was defeated. As per the State Government’s declaration of the area as reserve forest, nobody except Maidharis should be allowed to stay or carry out non-forest activity on this land, which largely falls under the Mendarda block of Junagadh.

When the forest officials restricted one Anil Chudasama from construction on a land purchased in this area, he approached the authorities and later the High Court. While the Forest Department insisted that such people who have purchased land from the Maldharis should be evicted, the Revenue Department had another take on it.

Last year, justice MR Shah appointed advocate Amit Panchal as amicus curie, who submitted a report that such land needs to be taken back. Accordingly, Justice Shah held that Chudasama had no right to carry out construction or agriculture activity on the plot, though he was the third purchaser of the plot after the Maldhari sold it long ago.

The High Court accepted that the land falls under reserved Forest category. Moreover, Justice Shah also directed the Chief Conservator of Forest to inquire into the cases of 292 plots and decide as per the provisions of the forest act, which means that the land holding would be declared as illegal.

This had also an indication that the decision to allot land to the tribal in 1977 could be declared null and void. When this decision was challenged by Chudasama before a division bench, it ordered to maintain status quo on the land and clarified that the plot would not be sold without prior permission of the court.

“Don’t become prey to lions”: Chief Justice
While ordering a stay on land deals in the reserved forest surrounding the Gir Sanctuary, Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya called for maintaining a balance between development and nature. The Forest Department has been maintaining that the increased grazing has resulted in decrease of prey for lions in the forest. Moreover, the forest officials have also been insisting that the sale of plots allotted to Maldharis be declared illegal, and non-Maldharis be evicted from the place. However, the petitioner claims that he has been deliberately harassed by Forest officials due to other social consideration and his ownership of the plot is legal. To this, the Chief Justice commented, “Lions’ place has to be protected. You shift from the place before you become prey to lions.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, Friday 17th, December, 2010

Farmers near Velvadar Blackbuck Park, Bhavnagar, India to be educated about Harriers

“#Blackbucknationalpark, Velavadar, is the largest communal roosting site of Harriers in the world. Harriers, the slender, long bare-legged, long-winged and long-toiled #Hawks with an owl like facial ruff, are considered farmers’ friends as they are predators. Harriers are vital indicators of an ecosystem’s health as their pray base are insects on corps. However, for many years now, farmers have started using pesticides in their fields and this badly affects the food chain of the Harriers. The food chain is an important aspect for the conservation of birds”, said JS Solanki, assistant conservator of forests, BNP, Velavadar.

Forests officials said that about 150 farmers from nearby villages are expected to take part in the awareness programme. ‘Experts and forests officials will present various aspects of the importance of Harriers to our ecological system. Various presentations in this regards will be shown to farmers. Officials from Agriculture Department will suggest the alternatives of the pesticide for their crops which are not harmful to Harriers,” said Solanki.

“The food chain of the Harriers should be kept as it directly affects the population of the bird and farmers’ role becomes crucial in this regard”, he said.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, Friday, 17th December, 2010

"Love's a many spotted thing"- Black Leopard with Spotted Leopard

A very rare photograph clicked recently of an elusive black leopard along with her normal colored mate in a forest in South India has enthralled many a wildlife enthusiast. The image, which recently won a prize at the Sanctuary-RBS Wildlife Photography Awards 2010, is said to be one-of-its kind as black leopards are difficult to capture in their natural habitat.

Naturalist and writer Bittu Sahgal of Sanctuary Asia told TOI: “We were thrilled to see this female black leopard along with her normal male mate. Its photos like these that bring alive the magic and mystery of our forests, which must be saved at all costs”

Deputy Director of Sanctuary Shardul S Bajikar, added that a team of amateur photographers— Sivlingam and R Prakash —managed to click this gem with a telescopic (300 m) camera lens. “We don’t want to disclose the location, as it may attract poacher and unlawful elements,” said Bajikar.

A condition called melanism (dark pigmentation of the skin) is responsible for black leopards. However, apart from the skin color black leopards are no different from the normal, spotted big cats.

Veteran leopard researcher at Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), J C Daniel, who had earlier compiled the book, told TOI: “Black leopards are hard to find, leave alone be photographed, as they live in dense wilderness which experience heavy rainfall. This photo of a black leopard and her normal mate is interesting.”

Courtesy :- Times Of India, 13th December, 2010

Kuno Palpur National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India to get Cheetah, not Lions

Madhya Pradesh has agreed in principle to accommodate African
Cheetah in Kuno Palpur. This could mean that the Gujarat’s neighboring state, which is famous for its Tigers, is off Gujarat’s back as far as the Asiatic Lion is concerned.

The Madhya Pradesh Government had been trying to get wild Asiatic Lions from its only habitat in the world in Gir, but Gujarat had refused to part with its pride. Finally, the Centre Government had proposed that Madhya Pradesh settle for zoo-bred Asiatic Lions for Kuno Palpur.

However, after a presentation by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Wildlife Trust of India over reintroducing Cheetah at Kuno Palpur it looks like the controversy could be drawing to a close, as the two big cats cannot survive together.

Gujarat Government had also taken the stand in Supreme Court that Lions and Tigers cannot stay together. The matter is pending in the Supreme Court since 2006.

Sartaj Singh, Forest Minister of Madhya Pradesh, told Times Of India over the phone, “Union Minister for Forest and Environment - Jairam Ramesh had decided to introduce
Cheetah in Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh, apart from Rajasthan. The Wildlife Institute of India had made a detailed presentation after which the Madhya Pradesh - Chief Minister has agreed in principle to have Cheetahs in Kuno. As of now we have put the proposal to shift Lions to Kuno on hold”.

H. S. Pabla, Madhya Pradesh’s principal conservator of forest, said, “We were offered Nauradehi and Kuno for reintroduction of Cheetah. But if we decide to shift to Nauradehi, the department will have to shift people from 21 villages, while Kuno Palpur was already prepared for the Lions, so we just have to bring the
Cheetah and release them”. The WTI also had rated Kuno as priority for reintroducing the Cheetah.

SK Nanda, principal secretary (forest) Gujarat, said, “We are not aware of MP’s decision. But if it is true it is a welcome decision. We have been contending that two big cats cannot stay together and Kuno already had Tigers”.

Courtesy :- Times Of India, Ahemdabad, 7th December, 2010.

#Thol Bird Sanctuary

#TholSanctuary is located 40 kms northwest of #Ahmedabad, in Mehsana District.
Thol lake, created in 1912, covers 7 sq. kms of mostly open water. There are small marshes at the edges and some scrub forest on the sides of the high embarkments.

Thol is well known for wintering Great White Pelicans, Flamingos, a variety of #WaterFowls including #Mallards and good numbers of #GreylegGeese, #Sarus #Cranes, the #SpottedFlycatcher and Waders which include #Eurasian #Curlews,
#Whitetailed #Lapwing ,#YellowWattled lapwing some #Raptors like Greater Spotted Eagle,#MarshHarrier,#IndianSpottedEagle,common Kestrel,ImperialEagle,#PallidHarrier and much more .

Get up, close and personal with #Winged visitors

An on going exhibition in the city is aiming to create awareness among the local population regarding #migratory #birds, their habitat and way of life.

The exhibition is being organized by the forest department, with the help of the municipal corporation of Jamnagar, and is being held at the Town Hall. An interpretation centre has also been set up as part of the show, which got under way on November 28 and runs until December 5, The municipal corporation has Invited schools to attend the exhibition so that students can get first-hand information regarding various species of migratory birds that visit the area.

The Interpretation centre - is equipped with a state-of-the-art Interactive system which gives information about nesting, voices and food habits of the migratory birds. Students can interact with machines and can get in-depth information regarding the winged visitors. Even real-life models of birds and their habitat have been created at the exhibition.





Jamnagar’s costal area plays host to about 257 species of migratory birds. In Jamnagar district, 325 #bird species have been recorded in past, out of which 170 are migratory ones coming from North Europe and Siberia, while others include semi-migratory and local ones.

“The idea of the entire exercise is to make the present and the next generation aware about the rich bio-diversity of the district and create awareness among people regarding winged visitors which are an essential part of the entire ecosystem and the food chain. The exhibition will be open until December 5 for public,” said municipal commissioner
P Swaroop. Photographs of the birds and animals captured by local photographers are also displayed in the exhibition, he added.




Courtesy :- Times Of India, 4 December, 2010

Sound from oil wells rattle #migratory birds at thol

Thol Lake bird sanctuary in Mehsana district, about 50 km from Ahmedabad on Kadi-Sanand road, has long been a favourite abode for variety of birds. But, the famous wetland has of late been losing popularity among the winged visitors.

“Global warming does have a negative impact on the habitat, but what is turning birds away from the lake is the noise and disturbance caused by activities in oil wells in the surrounding areas,” said Lala Desai, range forest officer at Thol Lake.

Desai, who has been posted in area for long, said, “Every day the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) officials have to open the valves of pipelines for work. This generates deafening noise identical to that of the landing of an aircraft.” Desai said the birds, whose hearing capacity is higher, get scared and fly away in fear.

Among the winged guests whose number has been on a constant decline are flamingos that would throng the lake in great number earlier and Kingfisher. “Birds like darters, egrets, partridges, spoonbills and hornbills besides several Himalayan, South African and Siberian species can be noticed here but their number has gone down”, Desai said.




“Winter is the time for laying eggs and variety of birds visit the lake. The huge sound generated by heavy instruments used in drilling scares the birds, while fumes and toxic gases that are emitted affect the mating period and breeding ratio,” said Suresh Prajapati, a researcher on birds.

“To a great extent, the sanctuary has been affected by disturbances caused by factories located in Gujarat industrial Development Corporation’s (GIDC) premises, two km from the birds’ habitat. Visitors to the lake, particularly on Sunday and holidays also add to the pollution as they make noises and throw plastic bags in the vicinity of the lake,” said Namrat Bhawsar, founder of ‘Arambh’, a foundation working to create awareness about environment for about 20 years.

A senior #ONGC official said the corporation would take care if its operation in the area was causing harm to birds at Thol. “If the uncorking of valves makes loud noise that harms migratory birds at Thol, we would certainly look into the issue. However, as the forest Officials say that well numbers 115 and 117 are the ones making noise, I will direct the ONGC officials concerned to rectify the faults without delay,” said Anil John, executive director, ONGC, Ahmedabad.

Courtest :- Times Of India, 6 December, 2010.