Moving a step ahead towards better conservation of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) - a critically endangered species, the Pune Wildlife Division is going to conduct census in a different way this year. It would not be mere bird counting, but would be documentation of each and every aspect of the bird.

Speaking on the upcoming census of GIB to be held on August 29, conservator of forest (wildlife) M K Rao told Sakal Times that a special pictorial manual on GIBs has been prepared for the purpose. “No book is available till date on details of  the birds. The knowledge of wildlife must be transferred from experts to laymen. Even in case of our employees, the new comers have to begin from ‘zero’ knowledge level due to non-availability of compiled information. The manual has covered all the aspects that will help the forest guards and the volunteers participating in the census,” he said.

The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), commonly known as Maldhok, are on the verge of extinction due to loss of  habitat.

There are only 21 birds in the Nanaj Sanctuary in Solapur district of Maharashtra as per the 2009 census. 

Under the bustard habitat management programme, the forest department has succeeded in restoration of grasslands in Nannaj, resulting in a positive indication of sighting the birds.

Instead of just counting the number, the focus this time will be on recording specific details including behaviour of the birds, their appearance from a distance, remarkable features like feathers, foot prints, eggs and suitable area where sighted.

In all 38 spots at Nannaj, five at Karmala, one at Rehakuri and three outside the sanctuary at Dangewadi, Shelgaon and Sawargaon have been identified for the census.

The volunteers will be provided with binoculars and cameras to gather photographic evidences. For the first time, a workshop will be conducted on the eve of the census, wherein the volunteers will be provided with the manual and will also be briefed about minute details of the bird.

Dr Pramod Patil of NGO ‘Gahivar’, who is instrumental in making the manual, views it as a significant step towards conservation of the rare bird with the involvement of local people.