Karnataka Govt Informs High Court About Steps Taken To Protect Great Indian Bustards

Advocate Vikram Huilgol appearing for the state filed the memo and submitted to the court that field visits by the advisory committee are planned to be held on April 7 and 8 including the experts appointed from Dehradun and SACON (Dr Sutirth Datta, WII Dehradun and Dr H N Kumar, SACON, Coimbatore).

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice John Michael Cunha on going through the memo said "Several steps have been taken." It directed the state government to serve the copy of the memo to the petitioner. The court will hear the matter next on April 15.

As per the memo, following initiative/activities in and and around the habitat identified for the purpose are taken up in the recent period with critical inputs from the Advisory Committee constituted for the purpose:

*Convening regular meetings of the Advisory Committee constituted to deliberate about conservation of the GIBs in Ballari District followed up with field visits (Such meetings and field visits were organized on 18.06.2020, 30.06.2020, 23.09.2020, 01.12.2020, 15.01.2021, 07.02.2021 and 20.02.2021).

*Suggestions, observations, technical inputs, etc. as given by members of the Advisory Committee during such meetings/field visits have been considered. Such recommendations have been incorporated as part of the Annual Plan of Operations during 2020-21, which is further approved by the competent authority (Chief Conservator of Forests, Ballari Circle) and the works as proposed are being carried out in the field meticulously.

*Department Personnel and Anti-Poaching Camp (APC) Watchers are regularly patrolling the landscape to check any acts of intrusion, hunting, etc. The day-to-day activities/observations of the personnel are being regularly monitored by the field officers through personal visits and through a Whatsapp group created specifically for the purpose.

*Observation studies as being taken up by the SACON, Coimbatore to understand the behavioural aspects of the Great Indian Bustards and the landscape utilization pattern (Habitat studies) are being continued. The recommendations of the members of the Advisory committee are also being considered to make necessary changes to the set Objectives and methodology of the study being carried out.

*It was a major observation of the members of the Advisory committee that rampant growth of weeds (Abutilon sp, Prosopis juliflora, Calotrpis sp., etc.) in the department lands in Siruguppa was detrimental for the GIBs, thus the recommendation for removal of the same and cultivation of crops preferred by the GIBs. Weeds growth perceived to be hazardous for the habitat of the birds have been cleared and preparations for cultivation of preferred crops like sunflower, cotton, chick pea are being made and would be taken up in appropriate seasons.

* In pursuance of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee Cattle Proof Trenches (CPT) has been dug all around the department lands so as to protect the lands from possible encroachments and to protect the wildlife there from predatory animals and stray dogs.

*Regular awareness creation programs to sensitize the local youths and communities about conservation of GIBs, their habitat and other wildlife in the region are being organized. Training for the frontline staff involved in protection and habitat monitoring works are also organized.

*Certain equipment (Binoculars, GPS handsets, cameras, spotting/field scopes, etc.) necessary for protection, monitoring and habitat management have been Purchased and distributed to the field personnel for their appropriate use.

*An Interstate coordination meeting (officials of Ballari Forest Division and adjoining Karnool Forest Division of Andhra Pradesh) was organized at Raravi which was followed up with a visit to the landscape.

The memo states "Such coordination meetings are proving helpful in monitoring the movement of birds and other species of wildlife, understanding habitat utilisation by these species and sharing specific information regarding moment of GIBs and Black Bucks. Follow up meetings at the level of field personnel and joint patrolling are also being planned."

It adds that "More such necessary activities for conservation of the Great Indian Bustards and its habitat in Siruguppa area of Ballari District, Karnataka are being planned and implemented with consultations with the Advisory Committee. Department is serious in its endeavour to provide protection and appropriate habitat for the GIBs and other species of the wild flora and fauna with involvement of all stakeholders."

The memo was filed during the hearing of a petition filed by conversationalist Edward Santosh Martin and others. The petition states the illegal actions of respondents, undertaking civil works such as construction of watch towers and anti-poaching camps, within the area of habitat of the species has pushed the species to the brink of extinction which is a blatant violation of Part III, Schedule I of the Wild Life(Protection) Act, 1972.

The petitioners have highlighted that the existing constructions will be removed by this winter at the latest so that the GIBs may perhaps breed again in the spring. If they miss the breeding season for the second year at a stretch, their extinction from Karnataka is definite as there are not more than 8 surviving species of GIB in Karnataka.

Earlier, the High Court had expressed doubts about the expertise of the committee constituted by the State Government in this regard. Following the HC rap, the Government reconstituted the committee.

In a related development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved orders on petitions seeking undergrounding of high transmission electricity lines in Rajasthan and Gujarat to protect Great Indian Bustard.