Lok Sabha Question No. 4296 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Conservation Plan for Great Indian Bustards
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4296

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2023

## Conservation Plan for Great Indian Bustards

4296. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to revive the decreasing population of Great Indian Bustards across the country particularly in Rajasthan if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the present status of the 'In-situ Conservation Plan for Great Indian Bustards' project proposed for the conservation of Great Indian Bustards by the State Government of Rajasthan to the Union Government?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) The  Ministry  is  taking  various  measures  for  conservation  and  protection  of Great  Indian  Bustard  in  the  country,  including  in  Rajasthan.  Some  important steps in this regard are as follows:
- i. The  Great  Indian  Bustard  is  listed  in  Schedule-I  of  the  Wild  Life (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby according it the highest degree of legal protection from hunting.
- ii. Important habitats of Great Indian Bustards are designated as National Parks/ sanctuaries for their better protection.
- iii. The  species  has  been  identified  for  conservation  efforts  under  the component 'Species Recovery Programme' of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Habitats. Financial and technical assistance is provided to the State/ Union Territory Governments  under  the  scheme  for  providing  better  protection  to Great Indian Bustard and its habitat.

OIH

- iv. Conservation breeding of the Great Indian Bustard has been undertaken in collaboration with Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra Forest  Departments  and  technical  support  of  Wildlife  Institute  of India, Dehradun with the aim of building a captive population of the species for release in the wild and promoting in-situ conservation of the species.
- v. Sites  for  establishment  of  a  conservation  breeding  centres  for  the Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican birds have been identified in consultation  with  the  Forest  Departments  of  Rajasthan  and  Gujarat, Wildlife Institute of India  and international experts. A  satellite conservation breeding facility has been established at Sam, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
3. (b) The  Ministry  provides  financial  assistance  to  the  States/  Union  Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Development of Wildlife Habitats for conservation  of  wildlife,  including  for  Great  Indian  Bustard.  A  proposal  was received  by  the  Ministry  from  the  Government  of  Rajasthan  for  in-situ conservation of Great Indian Bustard. The Ministry has informed the Government  of  Rajasthan  that  the  proposal  should  be  approved  by  the  State Board for Wild Life for consideration of funding support from State plan and / or State CAMPA funds.

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