(a) whether it is a fact that the Great Indian Bustard, a magnificient bird of grasslands is on the verge of extinction in the country;
(b) whether the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Wild Life, Gujarat has submitted a species recovery plan of Rs. 187.13 crores for Great Indian Bustard to the Union Government in 2014; and
(c) if so, the time by which the aforesaid plan is likely to be approved and funds released by the Government?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) The Great Indian Bustard is listed as critically endangered species in the IUCN Red list of 2011.
(b)&(c) Yes, Sir. The State Government of Gujarat has submitted a Species Recovery Plan of Rs.187.13 crores for Great Indian Bustard to Union Government for financial assistance during 2014-15. The proposal has been examined in the Ministry. However, the requisite amount of funds are not available under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’.