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On a trip to the Desert National Park in Nov 2014, I was fortunate to see 17 bustards in a fallow field just outside the park. The image captures seven of that flock.
The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is amongst the heaviest of flying birds. Less than a hundred remain in the wild, with the most (~70) being in Rajasthan, in and around the Desert National Park.
Currently (March 17 to 25, 2017), the Rajasthan forest department in association with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is conducting a large-scale survey to assess the status of Great Indian Bustard (GIB), associated wildlife and its habitat in the Thar desert (a 20,000 sq km landscape) covering the districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur including the Pokhran field firing range. Hopefully, the survey will help consolidate more habitat for the species and prioritise conservation action. Of course, finally the Rajasthan government has to demonstrate political will to help execute the plans.
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Chosen as 'Picture of the Week'
The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard is amongst the heaviest of flying birds. Less than a hundred remain in the wild, with the most (~70) being in Rajasthan in and around the Desert National Park.