The infamous Bellary region in Karnataka is once again in news, this time not only for illegal plundering of mineral wealth of the state. The repercussion of extensive, destructive mining has resulted in the near extinction of the Great Indian Bustard which were once the pride of Karnataka’s bird life. A major shift in traditional farming practices also have contributed to their dwindling grass land habitat.
Poor Genetic Diversity Spelling Doom for Great Indian Bustards
The Great Indian Bustard is an endangered bird species in India. While the bird is already facing extinction threats owing to habitat loss and urbanization, a recent research has shown that the species has very small population of breeding adult birds, which may make the bird extinct, earlier than expected.
Great Indian Bustard now Critically Endangered
Elevating the conservation status of the Great Indian Bustard, The Bird Life International and IUCN have declared the bird as a critically endangered species. The present population of Bustards stand at just 300 covering six states in India.