Lok Sabha Question No. 3013 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Great Indian Bustard
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3013

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2017

## Great Indian Bustard

## 3013.    SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been any progress in the artificial breeding of the Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered species;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including milestones achieved since the last one year;
- (c) whether  there  is  any  contributory  role  of  the  three  participatory  States  (Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra) in the implementation of this programme and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the projected increase in the population of the Great Indian Bustard by 2017-18; and
- (e) the details of the steps taken to reduce poaching of the Great Indian Bustard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) and (b) The Ministry has taken up an initiative on conservation breeding of Great Indian  Bustard  with  technical  supervision  of  Wildlife  Institute  of  India (WII).  The  important  objective  of  this  programme  is  to  build  up  captive population of GIB and to release the chicks in the wild for increasing the population.  The  States  of  Rajasthan,  Gujarat  and  Maharashtra  are  the important range States involved in this programme. The following are the important developments in this regard:
- i. A  workshop  on  the  role  and  importance  of  the  Indian  Army  in conservation of GIB was organized at Jodhpur Command Warfare Centre on 12 th July, 2016 with a view to seek cooperation of Indian Army in conservation efforts of Great Indian Bustard, as about 50% of the global population of GIB is found in areas controlled by the Indian Army.
- ii. Permission  to  install  satellite  tags  in  6  birds  for  monitoring  and tracking its location accorded.
- iii. Rajasthan  State Forest department  has  provided  a  list of  10 potential sites for setting up of the breeding facility. After consultation  with  the  foreign  expert  Mr.  Keith  Scotland  from Houbara  Breeding  Center  Uzbekistan,  the  choice  was  narrowed down to 'Sorsan' site near Kota.
- iv. Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has received funding from MoEF&CC  to  establish  the  breeding  facility  in  partnership  with Rajasthan Forest Department and MoEF&CC.
- (c) Rajasthan,  Gujarat  and  Maharashtra  are  the  important  range  States  for Great  Indian  Bustards  in  the  country.  These  States  are  consulted  and consent  taken  for  activities  for  focused  conservation  of  the  bird.  The respective  State  Forest  Departments  provide  all  support  including  land, infrastructure facility for proper functioning of the conservation breeding centres.
- (d) Specific population estimates cannot be projected unless systematic population assessment is carried out. The Ministry has already directed the State Governments for population assessment.
- (e) The  important  steps  taken  to  reduce  poaching  of  Great  Indian  Bustard includes the following:
- i. The  Wild  Life (Protection) Act, 1972  provides for stringent punishment  for  hunting  of  wildlife.  The  Act  also  provides  for forfeiture  of  any  equipment,  vehicle  or  weapon  that  is  used  for committing wildlife offence(s).
- ii. The  Central  Bureau  of  Investigation  (CBI)  has  been  empowered under  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  to  apprehend  and prosecute wildlife offenders.
- iii. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to ensure coordination among  various officers and State  Governments  in connection with the enforcement of law for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.
- iv. The  local  communities  are  involved  in  conservation  measures through eco-development activities who help the forest department in protection of wildlife.

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