Committee to look into save bustard plan

Jaipur: A committee will be soon set up by the Rajasthan government to work out measures to boost the number of the Great Indian Bustard, the state bird.

Forest Minister Gajendra Singh said the government is concerned over the dwindling number of the bird.

During the zero hour in the assembly, the minister said the population of the Great Indian Bustard, which is known as Godawan, is declining and measures to protect the bird are necessary.

The Rajasthan government had last year announced a Rs 12 crore Great Indian Bustard project.

Singh said a committee will be formed soon by the government, which will have local MLAs as its members, for proper execution of the project.

The minister was responding to an issue raised by a member of the house.

The Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds and can weigh up to 15 kg.

Environmentalists believe that less than 200 birds of the species are left now, of which about 100 are in Rajasthan.