Locally known as Maldhok or Hom, this endangered bird is tracked in Warora-Bhadrawati area every year in August to ascertain their numbers. Census of GIB, a Schedule-I avian, over the last few years revealed the presence of seven birds of the species. The efforts by the forest department and local farmers helped the survival of a hatchling last year, raising the population in the habitat to eight.
Apart from Solapur, Warora-Bhadrawati is only other rich habitat in the state where GIB is found in good numbers. "Last year, we traced three GIB eggs in the fields with help from farmers. However, only one of the three eggs survived the hatching period of 40 days. All around protection to the hatchling, with help from farmers helped its survival," said DCF, Chandrapur forest division, P Kalyankumar.
He said that hundreds of farmers were felicitated by the guardian minister last year for this. Farmer Waman Kite from village Wanoja, on whose farm the egg had successfully hatched, was given a special prize for his efforts. Read the full report here.
Source: Times News Network, Chandarpur.
