GIB number dwindles,state govt to sign MoU with WII

GIB recovery will get another boost from the Ministry of Environment and Forest’s Species Recovery Plan that has identified 17 most endangered species in India. “We hope to get funds and technical support from the Centre,” Naqvi said.

A plan to radio-collar the long-raning birds is also underway to track their movement which happens across a large area that extends to some places in the neighbouring Karnataka also.

The GIBs are found in Maharashtra in Ahmednagar,Solapur (Nanaj),Nagpur and Chandapur districts. Of them,only Nanaj GIB sanctuary (Solapur) is a protected area.

In the first phase of GIB spotting programme this year on August 25,a total of seven females and three males were spotted,according to Naqvi. “Three females and two males were found in Warora (Chandrapur) and one male and two females were seen in Nanaj,” he said. The next phase is due on September 15.

“This is not a number count since there is always the possibility of some GIBs not being spotted,which doesn’t mean they don’t exist,” Naqvi added.

“Last year,only one GIB was spotted in the 1,222-sq km Nanaj sanctuary,causing major concern among conservationists. That’s why we are into this programme with WII,” Naqvi said. The conservationists wonder if the state is left with even 20 birds.