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Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
India's smallest sanctuary hides one of the world's rarest bird – can you guess its name?
Did you know that the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in India? This sanctuary is located in the Kutch district of Gujarat and covers only about 2 square kilometres. This is a quiet, sun-drenched grassland which conserves the remarkable bird species that is greatly endangered – the Great Indian Bustard. This place is a heaven for birdwatchers. Location This sanctuary is located in the semi-arid grasslands of the Great Rann of Kutch. The grasslands and marshy swamps provide the perfect habitat for the Great Indian Bustard, which prefers large spaces for breeding. Purpose of the Sanctuary This sanctuary provides the unique opportunity of observing some magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. This sanctuary is one of the few locations where the Great Indian Bustard can still be spotted. This bird species is one of the largest and heaviest flying birds that is also critically endangered, as it is facing challenges such as habitat loss, hunting, and human disturbances. This sanctuary was mainly built to protect the species and its breeding grounds. As this species is greatly under threat, it is important that it be put under protected sanctuaries for its survival. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Flora and Fauna Kutch Bustard Sanctuary reportedly has three species of bustards, namely the Great Indian Bustards (endangered), the Lesser Floricans (endangered), and the Houbara Bustards (vulnerable). Birdlife : This sanctuary is also home to bird species such as harriers, common cranes, black francolins, sandgrouses, grey francolin, spotted and Indian sandgrouse, quails, larks, shrikes, coursers, and plovers. One might also spot, on the northern border of the sanctuary, birds like flamingos, herons, egrets, and sandpipers. Wildlife : One can find some wild animals here as well, such as wolf, caracal, Asiatic wildcat, jackal, striped hyena, fox, mongoose, bluebull, chinkara, spiny-tailed lizard, snake, and many others. How to get there One can reach this sanctuary through road, train, or air. The Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is well connected through roads to major cities of Gujarat such as Kutch, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot. One can easily reach here by train, as the nearest railway station is Bhuj railway station, from which one can reach the sanctuary in an hour. The Bhuj airport is also nearby and will take 2 hours to reach the sanctuary from the airport. Conservation Efforts The sanctuary is making a lot of efforts to conserve the endangered species. They are pushing for the expansion of the land of the sanctuary to include surrounding grasslands, important for the survival of the Great Indian Bustard. They have taken steps such as the acquisition of additional land to extend the protected area, a call for the launch of 'Project Bustard' just like 'Project Tiger,' and they have also put in place strict restrictions for land use. And that's why it's a must-visit place for every wildlife and bird lover! Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes, , messages , and quotes !
The Print
07-08-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Experts suggest increasing priority area for Great Indian Bustards in Rajasthan: Centre to SC
They have lateral vision as their eyes are on the sides of their head and they find it difficult to change their course of flight when confronted with a live wire. These critically endangered birds are particularly found in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and the alarming decrease in their numbers can be attributed to frequent collisions with overhead power transmission lines, including those of solar plants, near their habitats. New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) The Centre on Thursday informed the Supreme Court about a suggestion to add an extra 850 square kilometer area in priority Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) habitats in Rajasthan. Observing the birds were an endangered species, requiring urgent protection, the apex court in March last year formed an expert committee to suggest areas for underground laying of power transmission lines in priority and potential GIB habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The matter came up for hearing on Thursday before a bench of Justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, said initially, around 99,000 square kilometer (sq km) area was held up in Rajasthan and Gujarat where renewable energy projects could not take place for conservation of GIBs. Referring to the March 2024 verdict, Bhati said the top court set up the committee, which has submitted two reports, one each for Rajasthan and Gujarat. She said the judgement referred to priority and potential areas. Bhati said the committee opined an original priority area of around 13,000 sq km in Rajasthan should remain sacrosanct and remain a priority area. 'Additionally, the committee has recommended 850 sq km to be added as an additional priority area which should remain sacrosanct,' she said, pointing out a dissent note in the report over some aspects. Bhati said the court would have to consider both the reports. The 2024 verdict noted the total priority area was 13,663 sq km in both states whereas the total potential area was 80,680 sq km. The verdict further observed in Rajasthan, 13,163 sq km was priority area, 78,580 sq km was potential area and 5,977 sq km was additionally important areas. Similarly, for Gujarat, the verdict noted 500 sq km was priority area, 2,100 sq km was potential area and 677 sq km was additionally important areas. During Thursday's hearing, the bench asked whether there was any opposition to the committee's recommendations. 'One aspect which we are indicating is that there is a very high priority area because the breeding is taking place just adjacent to that and we believe that should be included,' senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the petitioner, said. Referring to another aspect, Divan said they just wanted it to be refined. 'They have suggested a very good thing, that is, a power corridor so that all the lines are at one place instead of criss-crossing and creating a hazard,' he said. The bench posted the matter for September 16. In its March 2024 verdict, the apex court said the order passed by it in April 2019 would need to be suitably modulated and a blanket direction for the undergrounding of low-voltage and high-voltage power lines would need calibration and to be looked at by domain experts. The apex court was hearing a PIL filed by retired IAS officer M K Ranjitsinh and others which said the birds were on the verge of extinction and the top court's 2021 order hadn't been complied with. The top court, in its 2021 judgment on the PIL, passed a slew of directions to protect the birds. Gujarat and Rajasthan governments were ordered to replace overhead electric cables with underground cables, wherever feasible, and install bird diverters in priority areas where the birds live. PTI ABA ABA AMK AMK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
07-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Experts suggest increasing priority area for Great Indian Bustards in Rajasthan: Centre tells SC
The Centre on Thursday (August 7, 2025) informed the Supreme Court about a suggestion to add an extra 850 square kilometer area in priority Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) habitats in Rajasthan. These critically endangered birds are particularly found in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and the alarming decrease in their numbers can be attributed to frequent collisions with overhead power transmission lines, including those of solar plants, near their habitats. They have lateral vision as their eyes are on the sides of their head and they find it difficult to change their course of flight when confronted with a live wire. Observing the birds were an endangered species, requiring urgent protection, the apex court in March last year formed an expert committee to suggest areas for underground laying of power transmission lines in priority and potential GIB habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The matter came up for hearing on Thursday (August 7) before a Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and A.S. Chandurkar. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, said initially, around 99,000 square kilometer (sq km) area was held up in Rajasthan and Gujarat where renewable energy projects could not take place for conservation of GIBs. Referring to the March 2024 verdict, Ms. Bhati said the top court set up the committee, which has submitted two reports, one each for Rajasthan and Gujarat. She said the judgement referred to priority and potential areas. Ms. Bhati said the committee opined an original priority area of around 13,000 sq km in Rajasthan should remain sacrosanct and remain a priority area. "Additionally, the committee has recommended 850 sq km to be added as an additional priority area which should remain sacrosanct," she said, pointing out a dissent note in the report over some aspects. said the court would have to consider both the reports. The 2024 verdict noted the total priority area was 13,663 sq km in both States whereas the total potential area was 80,680 sq km. The verdict further observed in Rajasthan, 13,163 sq km was priority area, 78,580 sq km was potential area and 5,977 sq km was additionally important areas. Similarly, for Gujarat, the verdict noted 500 sq km was priority area, 2,100 sq km was potential area and 677 sq km was additionally important areas. During Thursday's hearing, the Bench asked whether there was any opposition to the committee's recommendations. "One aspect which we are indicating is that there is a very high priority area because the breeding is taking place just adjacent to that and we believe that should be included," senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the petitioner, said. Referring to another aspect, Mr. Divan said they just wanted it to be refined. "They have suggested a very good thing, that is, a power corridor so that all the lines are at one place instead of criss-crossing and creating a hazard," he said. The Bench posted the matter for September 16. In its March 2024 verdict, the apex court said the order passed by it in April 2019 would need to be suitably modulated and a blanket direction for the undergrounding of low-voltage and high-voltage power lines would need calibration and to be looked at by domain experts. The apex court was hearing a PIL filed by retired IAS officer and others which said the birds were on the verge of extinction and the top court's 2021 order hadn't been complied with. The top court, in its 2021 judgment on the PIL, passed a slew of directions to protect the birds. Gujarat and Rajasthan governments were ordered to replace overhead electric cables with underground cables, wherever feasible, and install bird diverters in priority areas where the birds live.
Hindustan Times
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Experts suggest increasing priority area for Great Indian Bustards in Rajasthan: Centre to SC
New Delhi, The Centre on Thursday informed the Supreme Court about a suggestion to add an extra 850 square kilometer area in priority Great Indian Bustards habitats in Rajasthan. Experts suggest increasing priority area for Great Indian Bustards in Rajasthan: Centre to SC These critically endangered birds are particularly found in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and the alarming decrease in their numbers can be attributed to frequent collisions with overhead power transmission lines, including those of solar plants, near their habitats. They have lateral vision as their eyes are on the sides of their head and they find it difficult to change their course of flight when confronted with a live wire. Observing the birds were an endangered species, requiring urgent protection, the apex court in March last year formed an expert committee to suggest areas for underground laying of power transmission lines in priority and potential GIB habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The matter came up for hearing on Thursday before a bench of Justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, said initially, around 99,000 square kilometer area was held up in Rajasthan and Gujarat where renewable energy projects could not take place for conservation of GIBs. Referring to the March 2024 verdict, Bhati said the top court set up the committee, which has submitted two reports, one each for Rajasthan and Gujarat. She said the judgement referred to priority and potential areas. Bhati said the committee opined an original priority area of around 13,000 sq km in Rajasthan should remain sacrosanct and remain a priority area. "Additionally, the committee has recommended 850 sq km to be added as an additional priority area which should remain sacrosanct," she said, pointing out a dissent note in the report over some aspects. Bhati said the court would have to consider both the reports. The 2024 verdict noted the total priority area was 13,663 sq km in both states whereas the total potential area was 80,680 sq km. The verdict further observed in Rajasthan, 13,163 sq km was priority area, 78,580 sq km was potential area and 5,977 sq km was additionally important areas. Similarly, for Gujarat, the verdict noted 500 sq km was priority area, 2,100 sq km was potential area and 677 sq km was additionally important areas. During Thursday's hearing, the bench asked whether there was any opposition to the committee's recommendations. "One aspect which we are indicating is that there is a very high priority area because the breeding is taking place just adjacent to that and we believe that should be included," senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the petitioner, said. Referring to another aspect, Divan said they just wanted it to be refined. "They have suggested a very good thing, that is, a power corridor so that all the lines are at one place instead of criss-crossing and creating a hazard," he said. The bench posted the matter for September 16. In its March 2024 verdict, the apex court said the order passed by it in April 2019 would need to be suitably modulated and a blanket direction for the undergrounding of low-voltage and high-voltage power lines would need calibration and to be looked at by domain experts. The apex court was hearing a PIL filed by retired IAS officer M K Ranjitsinh and others which said the birds were on the verge of extinction and the top court's 2021 order hadn't been complied with. The top court, in its 2021 judgment on the PIL, passed a slew of directions to protect the birds. Gujarat and Rajasthan governments were ordered to replace overhead electric cables with underground cables, wherever feasible, and install bird diverters in priority areas where the birds live. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Great Indian Bustards (GIB) revival hits roadblock again as Rajasthan refuses to share eggs, male bird with Gujarat
Gujarat's efforts to revive its Great Indian Bustard population have been thwarted again as Rajasthan refuses to share fertile eggs or male birds. This setback jeopardizes the survival of the species in Gujarat, where only three infertile females remain. AHMEDABAD: In a critical blow to the state's conservation efforts, Rajasthan has once again refused to share fertile eggs or male Great Indian Bustards (GIB), pushing one of India's most majestic birds closer to local extinction in Gujarat. Despite securing approval from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change for an innovative egg-replacement strategy - where dummy eggs were to be swapped with fertile ones from Rajasthan's breeding centre - Gujarat's project has failed to take off. The refusal, the third since 2015, has dented Gujarat's hopes, as only three female bustards remain in Kutch's Abdasa region. Although females can nest without mating, their eggs have been infertile in the complete absence of a male. The last time a male GIB was spotted in the region was in Dec 2018. Saying that strategy could have revived one of India's most critically endangered species in Gujarat's wild, senior officials said that the proposal was sent to Rajasthan for approval after the Union ministry's nod. The Gujarat forest department was hoping to implement the proposal this breeding season, which concludes in Oct. "Since it was a ministry proposal, the Rajasthan govt, instead of saying a direct no, said the experiment should be carried out in the wild on its own soil first. If successful, eggs would be shared with other states." Sources said this was the second time the Rajasthan refused to give GIB eggs. Conservation efforts in Gujarat have had their set of challenges. An official said that since 2019, the female GIBs in Abdasa have been laying and incubating infertile eggs and abandoning them some 20 days later. In 2024, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had offered a glimmer of hope by proposing the idea of bringing fertile eggs from Sam in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, and having them hatched by female GIBs sighted in Abdasa. Its suggestion also made the state responsible for monitoring the eggs and ensuring these are protected from predators. This idea was discussed at the 82nd meeting of the National Board of Wildlife held at Sasan in March this year. Minutes of the meeting state, "Dr H S Singh (board chairman) mentioned that there are three female Great Indian Bustards in Gujarat. They lay infertile eggs every year. If some fertile eggs from Rajasthan can be replaced, the GIB population in Gujarat can be recovered." An official added, "Chicks were to hatch and grow in their natural habitat, as those born at the breeding centre are released in the wild only after their third generation is born." WII officials say that a male could have contributed to the local population, as the last known male in the region is believed to have either migrated to Pakistan or have died.
