The endangered bird Lesser Florican is a migrant on the move, on the verge of losing its perfect habitats in western Madhya Pradesh and in dire need of conservational help.
Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indica) is the smallest bird of the bustard family (Otididae). This bird has been given the highest degree of protection under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Its numbers have gone down drastically, necessitating its declaration as an ‘ENDANGERED’ species in IUCN Red List. It is also included as a priority species in the Species Recovery plan by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India (Dutta et al. 2013).
Lesser florican is one of the most fascinating birds of India due to its unique nuptial aerial display coupled with a peculiar croaking call. Its arrival in grasslands during breeding season marked by monsoons, and departure to unknown destinations during non-breeding season, makes it one of the most important bustards for further study and thereby better conservation management.
The lesser florican is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is a local migrant, and nomadic in the rainy season (SW monsoon). It was once widespread and common in the region, but now breeds only in some parts of Gujarat, southeast Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra and western Madhya Pradesh. The Malwa Plateau, falling mostly in western Madhya Pradesh, has remained a predominantly lesser florican stronghold, where the bustard has been arriving year after year for breeding purposes.
The State has got the distinction of establishing 2 wildlife sanctuaries exclusively for the conservation of lesser florican in 1983, namely the Sailana Sanctuary in Ratlam district and Sardarpur Sanctuary in Dhar district. I have visited both areas in recent years to understand the reasons behind the birds’ depleting population and to know the issues relating to their conservation. Detailed below is the situation of this endangered bird specifically in the regions of western Madhya Pradesh.
SAILANA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
This story is from the June - August 2017 edition of Saevus.
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This story is from the June - August 2017 edition of Saevus.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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