Birds no more
the Great Indian Bustard, which is also the state bird of Rajasthan, is fast becoming extinct due to human encroachment on its habitat. The birds known as Maldhok in Maharashtra and Godawan in Rajasthan, are found in the dry grasslands of the region that are being brought under cultivation to meet the needs of a burgeoning population in the states. Overgrazing of the region by cattle compounds the problem further.
These birds are capable of surviving without water for several days. They survive on wheat, bengal gram and millets, though being omnivorous they also eat grasshoppers among insects. Earlier, the birds were also found in other grass plains of India but now their population has shrunk to the six states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Illegal hunting is also taking its toll. The bustard enjoys protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Though hunting is illegal, the birds are extensively hunted for their flesh. All the states which are home to it have declared Bustard sanctuaries, but adequate protection is not given to them.
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