Poaching of tigers and threats of de-notification of legally protected wildlife habitats have dominated the media so much recently that slow disappearance of other endangered wild animals has been overlooked. Not many know that the Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, and the Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica, endemic to the Indian subcontinent, are now on the brink of extinction. The Great Indian Bustard is not only locally extinct from almost 90% of its former range, it has also disappeared even from the three wildlife sanctuaries declared 25 years ago for its protection. While hunting and habitat destruction resulted in near extinction of these magnificent birds of the Indian grasslands, mismanagement of habitat, sentimental protection of certain problem animals, insecure and confusing tenurial systems, apathy and ignoring of scientific advice now exacerbates the threats faced by these species. . |
