Work on breeding centre for Great Indian Bustard started: Government

NEW DELHI: The Environment Ministry has initiated the process of establishing a national conservation breeding centre for the 'critically endangered' bird Great Indian Bustard, the Parliament was informed today.

Minister of State for Environment Prakash Javadekar in a written reply to Rajya Sabha said the proposal is still in its initial stage and hence no time limit can be specified.

"Based on the recommendation of a workshop held on January 17, 2014 on 'Feasibility and Roadmap for great Indian Bustard Captive Breeding', the ministry has initiated the process of establishing a National Conservation Breeding Centre for Great Indian Bustard," Javadekar said.

He said Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra have been requested to consider making available about four square kilometres of suitable land and contribute 50 per cent of the envisaged capital cost of Rs 30 crore over a period of two years.

The minister further said that a long term commitment of 50 per cent of an estimated annual running cost of Rs two crore for about 15 years has been sought from them.

"The state government of Rajasthan has agreed in principle to the proposal of the central government. However the details regarding availability of land and commitment for funding has not been received from the state government of Rajasthan," Javadekar said.

The Great Indian Bustard was included in the list of "critically endangered" species after its number fell drastically due to poaching and erosion of its habitat among other reasons.