Govt rejigs panel for conservation of Great Indian Bustards

The state government has reconstituted the committee formed for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).

During the last hearing, the court had expressed doubts over the expertise of the members of the committee.

The government submitted that the Chief Conservator of Forests, Ballari, has issued an official memorandum reconstituting the advisory committee. It is now headed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests of Ballari.

In the previous hearing, the court had said that the committee has not bothered to take any steps for the implementation of the report submitted by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON). The bench observed that the minutes of the meeting suggested the committee has diverted its attention.

The court had asked the state government to make a clear stand on oath whether it wants to implement the recommendations made by SACON on measures to protect the Great Indian Bustard.

A PIL was filed in this regard by Ballari-based conservationist Edward Martin and two others, contending that illegal civil works in the habitats of GIB was leading to its extinction.