Great Indian hornbill in peril

FROM HERE & THERE

Today very few hornbills have been spotted in Dandeli, Joida, Castlerock and Khanapur forests.

Due to heavy biotic interference, the Western Ghats of Karwar and Belgaum district have been degraded. Owing to habitat lost and hunting in some areas, the Great hornbill is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Forest dwellers of Western Ghats  threaten the Great Indian Hornbills. The beaks and head are used in charms and the flesh is believed to be medicinal. The squabs are considered a delicacy.

Naturalist Gangadhar Kallur says that several development projects including Kali dam has caused great harm to the habitat of these hornbills in the region. A decade back, the Centre for Green Earth submitted a report on the status of the Great Indian hornbill in Joida and Dandeli forests. The report was sent to Principal Conservator of Forests of Karnataka urging authorities concerned to take necessary steps for conservation. Volunteers of Dharwad Open School have also taken keen interest to study the present status of Hornbills and conservation programmes related to these birds.

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