Rajkot: While the lovers of birds are sad that the Exotic Bustard Indian (GIB) species disappeared from Kutch, the hope was revived on Sundays when the forest official saw four females at Kutch.
However, in the middle of the sliver layer, the dark cloud of uncertainty still looks great on their fate because this is all females while no male birds are seen in the group.
In July, Union MOS for the environment, Ashwini Kumar Choubey has stated as an answer to the question in parliament that the bird is no longer seen in the holy area.
The Gib Sanctuary at Kutch spreads two square kilometers, but the four birds are found outside the area of ​​the sanctuary.
According to forest officials, birds moved in an area of ​​1,000 square kilometers spread in Kutch, Rajasthan and several parts of Pakistan.
Gibs are listed as very endangered and falling under the schedule of 1 wildlife protection laws.
Compounded by the deaths that occurred from adult birds hit the electric channel in Kutch, this species slowly erased from the Gujarat map.
Speaking with Toi, Kutch’s Chief Conservator, Anita Karan confirmed that the four species of female birds were seen near the naliya grassland.
“We always state that there are four Gibs in Kutch.
However, the future of this species is gloomy because this is only a female bird.
Gujarat is part of this bird breeding and conservation program,” he said.
The source of the forestry department claims that there are around 80 to 120 gibs in Rajasthan, but they cannot take the risk of carrying male at Kutch to breed.
There are several reasons for that fear, but the main reason is the threat to their lives because of the high voltage power line.
Because this species is listed under the endangered category, the State Forest Department does not want to risk anything.
The GIB conservation program begins by the central government, where artificial incubation is employed to make offspring of eggs placed by these birds in the wild.
Because these birds will have human prints, they cannot be released in the wild.
They will be released to the wild with other wild birds to increase their population only after the third or fourth generation.
Tushar Patel, Kikch (Western) Assistant Conservator said, “We have the right habitat for Gibs in Kutch, where the descendants in the future will be released.
They will be placed with wild birds so they also learn hunting art.
But until then , our role is to prepare good habitat for GIBS.
“According to the Ministry of Forestry, a lot of work must be done on the grounds to prepare habitat at Kutch to move GIB here.
Gibs ate insects, fruits and plants, but with farmers in the region using the inorganic technique of agriculture with pesticides etc., they must be convinced to turn into organic farming for bird repair.
Again, rampant accusation of the Gauchar land in feeding and livestock that graze in the reserve forest grassland must be controlled, in addition to changing the overhead electric channel to the underground cable to avoid bird collisions.
Adult GIB male birds weigh between 11 and 15kg, while adult females weigh around 4 to 7kg.
Birds live in grasslands and rub and prefer to nest in high meadows.