Great Indian Bustard shows recovery in Cholistan
In a significant development for wildlife conservation in Pakistan, the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, locally known as Bhakhar, has shown promising signs of population recovery in the Cholistan Desert, according to Punjab wildlife authorities.
Wildlife experts estimate the global population of the Great Indian Bustard to be between 80 and 90, with approximately 30 to 35 believed to inhabit the Cholistan region of Pakistan. This fragile recovery is the result of enhanced conservation efforts, ongoing field monitoring, and the creation of a dedicated public wildlife reserve.
'This bird is now restricted to the Cholistan Desert in Pakistan and Rajasthan in India,' confirmed Wildlife Conservator Syed Rizwan Mehmood.
He documented rare video footage and photographs of the species during a recent field survey.
'The sighting and documentation of its presence confirm its continued survival in Pakistan. It's a major breakthrough.'
Bahawalpur Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Syed Ali Usman Bukhari emphasised the role of dedicated habitat protection in aiding the bird's recovery.
'A designated Public Wildlife Reserve has been established in Cholistan specifically to protect the Great Indian Bustard. Strengthened conservation measures have led to a gradual increase in the population of this native species,' he said.
The Great Indian Bustard (ardeotis nigriceps) is listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), making it one of the most threatened bird species in South Asia.
Once found in large numbers across the Indian subcontinent, the species is now confined to fragmented habitats in India and Pakistan due to habitat loss, hunting and human disturbance.
Renowned for its distinctive appearance, the Great Indian Bustard is among the heaviest flying birds in the world. Males can weigh up to 15 kilograms, stand about one meter tall, and have a wingspan exceeding two meters. The bird is easily identified by its brown, white and black plumage and a prominent black patch on the neck.
It lays only one egg per year, resulting in an extremely low breeding rate making every individual crucial to the survival of the species.
Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), all international trade of the species is strictly prohibited. Domestically, the bird enjoys legal protection, with all forms of hunting or trade banned.
Unlike the more commonly targeted Houbara Bustard, which has faced significant pressure from hunting by foreign falconers, the Great Indian Bustard has largely been spared due to its rarity and the strict penalties imposed on violators.
Conservationists remain cautiously optimistic. 'The progress we're seeing in Cholistan is encouraging, but the species remains on the brink,' said a wildlife official. 'We must maintain and expand protection efforts, raise awareness, and safeguard critical habitats if we are to prevent its extinction.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Several reported killed as train derails in Germany
Rescue forces work at the site of a derailed train near Riedlingen near Biberach, on July 27. Photo: AFP Listen to article At least three people were injured when a regional train carrying about 100 passengers derailed in southwestern Germany on Sunday, police said. German media reported that several people had been killed. 'The accident occurred at around 6:10 pm (1710 GMT) near the town of Riedlingen in Baden-Wuerttemberg state,' a police spokesperson told AFP. Also Read: Six killed, scores injured in Indian temple stampede 'At least three people were injured,' the spokesperson added, without elaborating on the severity of the injuries. According to German daily Bild, the passenger train was travelling from the German town of Sigmaringen to the city of Ulm when at least two train carriages derailed in a wooded area. Footage from the scene of the crash showed yellow-and-grey-coloured train carriages lying on their sides, as firefighters and emergency services were trying to gain access to the passengers. It was not immediately clear what had caused the accident.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
Russian plane crashes in Russia's far east, nearly 50 people on board feared dead
MOSCOW: An Antonov An-24 passenger plane carrying about 50 people crashed in Russia's far east on Thursday and initial information suggested that everyone on board was killed, Russian emergency services officials said. The burning fuselage of the plane, which was from the Soviet era and was nearly 50 years old, was spotted on the ground by a helicopter and rescue crews were rushing to the scene. Unverified video, shot from a helicopter and posted on social media, appeared to show that the plane had come down in a densely forested area. The plane, whose tail number showed it was built in 1976, was operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara. Air India received nine notices for safety violations in six months, Indian minister says It was en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk to Tynda and dropped off radar screens while approaching Tynda, a remote town in the Amur region bordering China. There were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board according to preliminary data, Vasily Orlov, the regional governor said. The emergencies ministry put the number of people on board somewhat lower, at around 40. Debris from the plane was found on a hill around 15 km (10 miles) from Tynda, the Interfax news agency quoted emergency service officials as saying. 'During the search operation, a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Rossaviatsiya discovered the fuselage of the aircraft, which was on fire,' Yuliya Petina, an emergency services official, wrote on Telegram. 'Rescuers continue to make their way to the scene of the accident'. Authorities announced an investigation into the crash.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Great Indian Bustard shows recovery in Cholistan
Listen to article In a significant development for wildlife conservation in Pakistan, the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, locally known as Bhakhar, has shown promising signs of population recovery in the Cholistan Desert, according to Punjab wildlife authorities. Wildlife experts estimate the global population of the Great Indian Bustard to be between 80 and 90, with approximately 30 to 35 believed to inhabit the Cholistan region of Pakistan. This fragile recovery is the result of enhanced conservation efforts, ongoing field monitoring, and the creation of a dedicated public wildlife reserve. 'This bird is now restricted to the Cholistan Desert in Pakistan and Rajasthan in India,' confirmed Wildlife Conservator Syed Rizwan Mehmood. He documented rare video footage and photographs of the species during a recent field survey. 'The sighting and documentation of its presence confirm its continued survival in Pakistan. It's a major breakthrough.' Bahawalpur Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Syed Ali Usman Bukhari emphasised the role of dedicated habitat protection in aiding the bird's recovery. 'A designated Public Wildlife Reserve has been established in Cholistan specifically to protect the Great Indian Bustard. Strengthened conservation measures have led to a gradual increase in the population of this native species,' he said. The Great Indian Bustard (ardeotis nigriceps) is listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), making it one of the most threatened bird species in South Asia. Once found in large numbers across the Indian subcontinent, the species is now confined to fragmented habitats in India and Pakistan due to habitat loss, hunting and human disturbance. Renowned for its distinctive appearance, the Great Indian Bustard is among the heaviest flying birds in the world. Males can weigh up to 15 kilograms, stand about one meter tall, and have a wingspan exceeding two meters. The bird is easily identified by its brown, white and black plumage and a prominent black patch on the neck. It lays only one egg per year, resulting in an extremely low breeding rate making every individual crucial to the survival of the species. Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), all international trade of the species is strictly prohibited. Domestically, the bird enjoys legal protection, with all forms of hunting or trade banned. Unlike the more commonly targeted Houbara Bustard, which has faced significant pressure from hunting by foreign falconers, the Great Indian Bustard has largely been spared due to its rarity and the strict penalties imposed on violators. Conservationists remain cautiously optimistic. 'The progress we're seeing in Cholistan is encouraging, but the species remains on the brink,' said a wildlife official. 'We must maintain and expand protection efforts, raise awareness, and safeguard critical habitats if we are to prevent its extinction.'
