Finally waking up to the alarm bells of dwindling population of Great Indian Bustards, the Environment Ministry has begun the process of establishing a national conservation breeding centre for this ‘critically endangered species.
According to sources, the home range States of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra have been requested to make available about 4 square kilometres of suitable land and contribute 50 per cent of the envisaged capital cost of Rs 30 crore over a period of two years. Rajasthan Forest Department has agreed in principle to the proposal of the Central Government. However, the details regarding availability of land and commitment for funding has not been received from the State Government of Rajasthan. The above steps are based on the recommendation of a workshop held on January 17, 2014 on ‘Feasibility and Roadmap for Great Indian Bustard Captive Breeding’. The Ministry has initiated the process of establishing a National Conservation Breeding Centre for Great Indian Bustard.