The GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD Data provided at Rajyasabha.

Conservation of Great Indian Bustard

The total population of Great Indian Bustard in the country is estimated to be 296. The State-wise details of estimated number of Great Indian Bustard in the country are as follows: S.No. Name of State Estimated Population (no. of individuals) 1 Rajasthan 175 2 Gujarat 30 3 Madhya Pradesh 10 4 Maharashtra 46 5 Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka 35 According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for birds, the Great Indian Bustard is on the brink of extinction and is now listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ species. The population of Great Indian Bustard has drastically reduced in the past few years due to several factors such as habitat loss and degradation, and illegal hunting. Great Indian Bustard has been identified as one of the species under component- “Recovery programme for saving critically endangered species and habitats” of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’, wherein financial assistance is given for recovery programme of the species. Further, the Central Government has constituted a Task Force to formulate an action plan for the conservation of Great Indian Bustard and Floricanspecies in India.                     Funds have been released to the Government of Rajasthan for the Desert National Park under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ for various activities, including protection of Great Indian Bustard and its habitat. Details of funds released for the Desert National Park during the last three years as well as the current year are as follows: Name of the Protected Area Year Amount released (Rs. inLakh) Desert National Park, Rajasthan 2008-09 22.84 2009-10 34.13 2010-11 28.05 2011-12 20.18 Total: 105.2 This Information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (I/C)SmtJayanthi  Natarajan in a written reply to a question By Shri V.P. Singh Badnore in Rajya SabhaToday. KP (ReleaseID:78621)