Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 230532334

Bustard species recovery and community initiatives, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary

The broad objective is to ensure recovery of the bustard species in Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary. Some of the objectives are towards further steps of the previous project (210528096). For eg. Objective (2): In the first phase we had identified threats, in this phase we will be quantifying the same. To achieve this, we established the following specific objectives. The first three objectives are towards “Applied Research & Conservation”, the next two are towards “Community Conservation Initiative” (1) Monitoring the population of Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican in continuation of previous monitoring protocol. This is crucial to have long term data on population trends. (2) Quantification of threats and undertaking mitigation measures at Local level and Policy level. (3) Undertake research on Habitat Quality of Rollapadu through prey density for birds, density of grazing and other biotic and abiotic variables. (4) Undertake semi-structured questioner survey with farmers to better understand farming practices and willingness to undertake the concept of “Ecological Farming” that was initiated in the previous phase of this project. (5) Establish a network of Local Bustard Volunteers, through the awareness talks and workshops.