Shri Bhupender Yadav reviews progress of Great Indian Bustard Conservation, Grassland Restoration and Project Cheetah at Bhuj; Releases Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation
Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav chaired a review meeting in Bhuj covering the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) conservation, grassland restoration, and Project Cheetah. He released the Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation and highlighted landscape-level restoration efforts. The meeting also discussed national grassland assessments and the progress of Project Cheetah, which has reached 52 individuals.
Why It Matters
This press release contains factual data regarding environmental conservation flagship programmes like Project Cheetah and Great Indian Bustard conservation, which are directly relevant for questions on environment and ecology in competitive exams like UPSC and State-PSCs.
In Simple Words
Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav chaired a meeting in Bhuj to review flagship environmental programmes, including Great Indian Bustard (GIB) conservation, grassland restoration, and Project Cheetah. He released the Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation, aimed at establishing a minimum viable population of over 30 birds and securing safe habitat.
The review also covered a national assessment framework for degraded grasslands and noted that Project Cheetah's population has reached 52 individuals, including 49 born in India. Future release sites like Banni Grasslands and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary were also identified.
Key Points
- Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav chaired a Review Meeting of Flagship Programmes at Bhuj, Kachchh, Gujarat.
- The Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation was released, aiming for a minimum viable population of over 30 birds and 200–500 sq. km. of safe habitat.
- Around 11 sq. km. of grassland infested with Prosopis juliflora in Naliya has been restored with 30 km of predator-proof fencing.
- A pioneering 'jump-start' intervention resulted in a wild GIB chick surviving beyond the critical first three months.
- A GIB Soft Release Centre has been developed near Naliya to house and acclimatise captive-bred birds from Rajasthan.
- A proposed five-year national assessment will focus on mapping and restoring India's grasslands, covering nearly 24% of land area.
- Project Cheetah's population reached 52 individuals, including 49 cubs born in India, with a cub survival rate of around 68% in Kuno.
- Protected habitat for cheetahs has expanded to 3,428 sq. km. across Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar, with Banni and Nauradehi identified as future release sites.
Exam Angle
A. 52 individuals, including 49 cubs born in India
Source: Press Information Bureau