GIB numbers dwindle,govt plans Rs 38-lakh recovery project

In the first phase of GIB spotting programme on August 25,seven females and three males were spotted. “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 a 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 1,200-sq km Nanaj sanctuary,causing major concern among conservationists. That is why we are into this programme with WII,” Naqvi said. The conservationists wonder if the state is left with even 20 birds. “There were 22 at Nanaj three years ago when the 8,500 sq km sanctuary was reduced to 1,222 sq km after denotification. Now,they are hardly seen there. The farmers,whose fields continue to be in the protected area,are not happy since it is the GIB habitat and they can’t sell it unlike those whose fields are in the denotified area. This growing displeasure is not good for the GIBs. We need to warm up to the farmers to encourage them to protect the birds,” said an ornithologist.

“Similarly,a recent advisory from the government to the Divisional Commissioner of Nagpur to not allow conversion from agriculture to non-agriculture farms in the GIB habitats in Warora and Umred (Nagpur) has also caused resentment among farmers,” said another conservationist. Naqvi says a directive has been given but it is with a view to protect the birds. Asked if it is legally tenable since the land doesn’t belong to the Forest Department,he said,“perhaps,not”.

India is believed to have the last 250 birds,100 of them in Rajasthan and 100 in Maharashtra,MP,Andhra and Gujarat.