One hatching of the almost extinct Godawan took birth in the National Park very recently.
A hatchling of the Great Indian Bustard, which is a critically endangered species, was born in the Desert National Park of Rajasthan.
Godawan is one of the most critically endangered species of India. Also called the Great Indian Bustard, the bird was once common in dry grasslands and scrubs of the Indian subcontinent. Very recently, a hatchling of the Great Indian Bustard was born in the Desert National Park of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Another Godawan egg is also present in the enclosure, but it is yet to hatch.
Source: rspb.org
In India, the bird population is restricted to states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
Source: Wikipedia
It is indeed a sorry state for a bird which was once very commonly found and was also a proposed candidate for the National Bird of India. The species suffered because it came under the category of game birds and was once hunted for sport.
The efforts to protect these birds were increased in the past few years. The State Government of Rajasthan also declared the Gondawan to be the State Bird of Rajasthan, so as to get more attention to its plight. Desert National Park’s Deputy Director, Anoop K R conformed the birth. He also said that this was a result of the upped efforts to protect the birds in past 5-6 years.
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