Predators to be kept out of GIB enclosures: State to HC
PLAN Keeping out desert fox, desert cat to ensure safe GIB breeding
JODHPUR: In order to ensure that the eggs of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) are not destroyed by predators in their enclosures, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has allowed “management” of the predators in Desert National Park (DNP), Rajasthan government told the high court on Tuesday.
The ministry has directed the state to release two species of predators, desert fox and desert cat, outside the GIB enclosures to ensure safe breeding for the rare bird.
GIB, the state bird of Rajasthan, figures as critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list, 2011, and Schedule-i that accords it the highest level of legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Wildlife Institute of India (WII) surveys show that the number of GIB has reduced by 75% in the last 30 years. Currently, the GIB population in India is fewer than 150.
The information about the predators was given by the state during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) over the conservation of GIB by a division bench of the high court, comprising chief justice Indrajit Mohanty and justice Sangeet Lodha.
Additional advocate general Sandeep Shah told the court that an order has been passed by the Chief Wildlife Warden for trapping, marking and release of desert fox and desert cat outside the GIB breeding enclosures in the DNP area. On September 20, another order has been passed by the Chief Wildlife Warden for trapping, marking and release of wild pig, monitor lizard and mongoose outside the breeding enclosures.
During the hearing, Shah also informed the court about the status of DNP.
He told that the notification under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, declaring areas situated in Jaisalmer and Barmer as sanctuary was issued on August 4, 1980.
The DNP Wildlife Sanctuary is deemed to be a sanctuary and no further notification is required to be issued.
On May 8, 1981, a notification came to be passed by the state government declaring its intention to constitute a national park by t he name of t he Desert National Park, Jaisalmer. However, the final notification with regard to constitution of the Desert National Park, Jaisalmer has not yet been issued, he said.