Important for
Prelims: Geography and Environment
Mains: General Studies I
Great Indian Bustards and Asiatic Lions
- As Cyclone Biporjoy approaches the port of Jakhau in Kutch, Gujarat, there are concerns about the impact on the Great Indian Bustards (GIB) in Naliya region and the Asiatic Lions in the Gir forest
Asiatic Lions
- The Gir forest is home to nearly 700 Asiatic lions, which are found only in this region
- Asiatic lions were once distributed to the state of West Bengal in the east and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India.
- At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion
Protection Status
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I
Great Indian Bustard
- The Great Indian Bustard , the State bird of Rajasthan, is considered India’s most critically endangered bird.
- It is considered the flagship grassland species, representing the health of the grassland ecology.
- Its population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat. Small populations occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Protection Status
- IUCN red List: Critically Endangered
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix1
- Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
Govt’s Initiatives
- Species Recovery Programme
- National Bustard Recovery Plans
- Conservation Breeding Facility
- Project Great Indian Bustard
Practice Questions for Prelims
The Great Indian Bustard is included in which category of IUCN?
a) Threatened
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Least Concern
Ans. c)
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