Great Indian Bustard Soft Release Centre Opens in Kachchh

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav visited the Great Indian Bustard habitat at Naliya. Naliya lies in the Kachchh district of Gujarat. He inaugurated the Soft Release Centre for the bird at the facility. The centre is built to support conservation, monitoring and the slow return of the birds to the wild. Gujarat's Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia was with him. Officials of the Wildlife Institute of India, the Gujarat Forest Department and the Border Security Force were present.

Work done in the bustard landscape

The Minister was briefed on progress on the ground. About 11 square kilometres of grassland invaded by Prosopis juliflora has been restored. Predator proof fencing of 30 kilometres has been raised, covering 15 square kilometres. A jump-start method has also been tried. In it, infertile eggs laid by wild female bustards are replaced with viable eggs from the conservation breeding programme. The chick from the second such attempt has survived beyond the critical first three months in the wild. The release calls this a landmark result for the species in Gujarat. The Minister also flagged off 33 new patrolling and rescue vehicles for the Kachchh Forest Circle. He held a Khatala Sabha with public representatives to seek their support.

Sayara Van Kavach

The Minister inaugurated the Sayara Van Kavach. It has been developed over a site of 9.46 square kilometres. The Miyawaki method of dense, multi layered afforestation was used. It has more than 10,000 saplings of 47 native species suited to the saline, low water conditions of Kachchh. The model is expected to lower local temperatures, help recharge groundwater and check soil erosion. A memorandum of understanding was exchanged with the Deendayal Port Authority for plantation work. He also released the Van Kavach Photobook.

Mangroves at Jakhau

At Jakhau the Minister visited the Mangrove Nursery and planted mangroves. He saw a photo exhibition on plantation work in the Kori Creek and Sir Creek areas. He met seaweed cultivators and beneficiaries of the MISHTI programme, which stands for Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes.

MISHTI figures for Kachchh