In order to sustain the relationship between the villagers and the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Centre of Avian Ecology at Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) and the Forest Department, Wildlife (Pune) held a joint conference in Solapur last week.
The workshop on GIB conservation comprised participants from the forest department, birdwatchers, lawyers, students, and villagers from across the state supporting bustard conservation. Sujit Narwade, Scientist in-charge, ENVIS Centre, said, “Thanks to the support from the locals, the bustards have been surviving for generations. However in the current situation the bird needs collective efforts from every Solapurkar.”
Villagers earlier had protested against GIB Sanctuary as they had expressed concern over the pending decision of rationalization of its boundaries, because they are facing problems in sale deed activities. Developmental work such as construction of canals and road widening of national highways has been stalled, affecting livelihood of villagers.
The vast expanse of the existing GIB Sanctuary in Solapur, spanning several talukas for a long time has been a simmering issue. Moreover, the Pune Forrest Department is also in favour of reducing the sanctuary area for its better management. However, the final decision is yet to come from the Supreme Court.
It is also notable that GIBs have been spotted even outside the sanctuary limits. This highlights the importance of non-protected areas in conservation. Legal aspects of GIB conservation include understanding the details of the Sections and Acts under which GIB has been protected.