Western desertland welcomes Houbara Bustard a little early

The desert areas of Jaisalmer and Barmer districts harbor varied wildlife and avifauna. Though plenty of animals and birds like the state bird Great Indian Bustard and state animal Chinkara are present in the area, winters bring a new lease of life to the desert grassland when migratory birds abound here.

One of these migratory birds is the Houbara Bustard locally called Tilore. A bird of the desert grasslands, the sightings of Houbara Bustard increases as winters reach their peak. But an interesting development has occurred, which is baffling the forest officials. The expected arrival time of this eye-catchy bird is winters but breaking the cycle, flocks of Houbara have started reaching the Indian side of the Thar desert.

On Saturday, a few of these silvery Bustards were seen at Sam sand dunes near Jaisalmer by forest officials which have now sparked a debate amongst conservationists who are seeing this as a unique development.

“It might not appear to be a major development to the layman but for conservationists and environmentalist, this has rung the alarm. Animal and bird migration depends on season and one can gauge from their movement if the season, in general, would be good or bad. For scientists, it brings a lot of interest as this is one of the aspects that they study that is the change in animal and bird behaviour with effect to global warming” said Tejvir Singh, retired IFS.

Houbara Bustard numbers are dwindling fast due to falconry being practiced in Pakistan and other areas of its territory. “Its meat is considered a delicacy and thus falcons are used as a sport to hunt these birds. Also, poaching of these birds is conducted in Jaisalmer and Barmer areas by villagers as well. The forest department tries to nab such men but due to the immense expanse of the territory, it is a tough job” a forest official said requesting anonymity.

Breaking the cycle

One of these migratory birds is the Houbara Bustard locally called Tilore. A bird of the desert grasslands, the sightings of Houbara Bustard increases as winters reach their peak. But an interesting development has occurred, which is baffling the forest officials. The expected arrival time of this eye-catchy bird is winters but breaking the cycle, flocks of Houbara have started reaching the Indian side of the Thar desert.