The last call to save Indian Bustard in Kutch, Gujarat, India
In Indian Bustard A. nigriceps, popularly known as the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), is one of the critically endangered birds in the world. Though the former range of this bird extended to parts of Pakistan, today a major population survives only in India. An estimated less than 300 individuals are reported to be surviving sporadically in different parts of the country. The GIB is categorized as ‘critically endangered’ under the IUCN Red List and listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. GIBs are birds of grassland and semi-arid habitat. This report identifies the current threats to GIBs in Kutch and recommends measures for their long term survival.