Question

Consider the following statements regarding Great Indian Bustard.

1. Great Indian Bustard is considered the flagship grassland species, representing the health of the grassland ecology.

2. It is one of the heaviest flying birds.

3. In India, Rajasthan is home to a greater number of Great Indian Bustard.

4. It is critically endangered according to IUCN.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 and 4 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : 1, 2, 3 and 4

The correct answer is 1, 2, 3 and 4

The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is likely to be included in the global list of top 10 migratory species facing extinction under the UNEP’s Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) of Wild Animals. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

The theme of COP13, 2020 of CMS was ‘Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home’ and its mascot is the Great Indian Bustard.

About the bird:

• The GIB is one of the heaviest flying bird’s endemics to the Indian subcontinent. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• They are primarily terrestrial birds. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• The GIB lays one egg every 1-2 years and the success rate of these eggs is 60-70 per cent.
• However, this rate has been reduced to 40-50% due to predators like fox and dogs.
• Today less than 150 individuals are left in India.
• They have poor frontal vision.
• Maximum numbers of GIBs are found in Jaisalmer and the Indian Army controlled field firing range near Pokhran, Rajasthan. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
• Other areas where they are found in less than 10 in number are Kutch district in Gujarat, Nagpur and Solapur districts in Maharashtra, Bellary and Koppal districts in Karnataka and Kurnool district and Amravati in Andhra Pradesh.

Protected areas:

• Desert National Park Sanctuary in Rajasthan
• Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh
• Karera Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh