The sighting of three Great Indian Bustard (GIB) on Sunday on the banks of river Tungabhadra near Sirguppa a border town in Bellary district in Karnataka has renewed hope for conservation of the endangered bird.
A team of naturalists Samad Kottur , Santhosh Martin and Sonia Martin sighted three Bustards, two adults and one chick on the grass lands of river Tungabhadra has sparked hope for conservation of these endangered birds.
According to Samad Kottur they were the first to sight few bustards in 2006 after which it was assumed these big birds have been wiped out from the state. He said “we have been chasing them since 2004. We have sighted them first in 2006. We have sighted three of them, two adults and a chick on Sunday on the grass lands of river Tungabhadra. We are planning a systematic research and documentation of these endangered species. We have urged the Karnataka forest department to support us in our effort which is critical in conservation of these birds.”
According to Samad Kottur 15 to 20 kms of grasslands on the banks of river Tungabhadra bordering Andhra Pradesh has hopes of conserving great Indian Bustards and urges the Karnataka forest department to protect these species apart from helping them to document and survey these endangered birds.
According to Takat Singh Ranawat, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Ballari, the state forest department has taken steps to protect these birds from poachers by appointing local watchers apart from strengthening information system. The Forest Department also plans to identify Government and private lands that could serve as a habitat for the species.
Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN Schedule 1 under Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.