SC clears denotification of GIB sanctuary

NAGPUR: Finally, the Supreme Court has cleared the long-pending de-notification of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Sanctuary at Nannaj in Solapur district. From 8,496 sq km earlier, the sanctuary will now be restricted to 1,222 sq km.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/SC-clears-denotification-of-GIB-sanctuary/articleshow/9350669.cms

Protected Areas Network India has a large network of Protected Areas (PAs) including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. These protected areas are vital to the conservation of the biological diversity of the country. Not only are they valuable heritage assets, but they also play an important role in protecting watersheds and coastlines, providing livelihoods and encouraging conservation. In the 1980’s, the Wildlife Institute of India provided a unique framework of conservation planning which analysed the existing protected area network scientifically, and identified the inadequacies and gaps in the coverage. The framework divided the country into ten zones: trans-Himalaya, Himalaya, desert, semi-arid, Western Ghats, Deccan peninsula, Gangetic plain, coasts, northeast, and the islands, with 26 identified biotic provinces within them. From a mere 3.34 per cent of the country’s total geographical area, the Protected Area network has grown to attain the present status of 4.70 per cent in just 14 years.
http://envfor.nic.in/divisions/ic/wssd/doc3/chapter7/css/Chapter7.htm

denotification of an area implying that it is no longer protected,
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?222920

The Narayan Sarovar
Chinkara Sanctuary in Gujarat is already partially
denotified for the establishment of cement factories.

Protected Areas to get greater benefit from Project Bustards

Rajasthan Desert NP, Talchapper, Gajner
Gujarat Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar, Lala and Naliya,
Wild Ass Sanctuary, Velavador, Dahod grasslands


Madhya Pradesh Sailana, Sardarpur, Ghatigaon
Maharashtra Bustard Sanctuary, Rehukuri
Karnataka Rannibennur
Andhra Pradesh Rollapadu
Uttar Pradesh Dudwa, Katerniaghat, Kishenpur, Sohagi-Barwa
Bihar Valmiki Tiger Reserve
West BengalJaldapara, Gorumara
Assam Manas, Kaziranga, Pobitora, Laokhowa, Burachapori, Orang, Sonai-Rupai
Arunachal Pradesh D’Ering Memorial Sanctuary

Ecosystems and Habitats to benefit from Project Bustard
Dry Grasslands Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana
Hot Desert Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana
Tropical short grass plains Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
Wet grasslands Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Preadesh

Existing Great Indian Bustard sanctuaries

Rajasthan Desert N.P. 3162 50-100 Development of irrigation facilities and habitat
modification
Sonkhaliya 17 20-30 Administrative neglect, Agriculture expansion
Sorson 40 Extinct Administrative neglect, Resentment of villagers due
to crop damage by Blackbuck
Karera 202 Extinct Over grazing, expansion of agriculture, growing
resentment against crop damage by Blackbuck,
and completely ignoring scientific advice on the
management of the Sanctuary
Ghatigaon 512 1-2 Administrative neglect, mismanagement of habitat
and completely ignoring scientific advice on the
management of the Sanctuary
Maharashtra Bustard 8496 50-60 Urbanization, and growing resentment against crop
damage by Blackbuck
Karnataka Rannibennur 123 Extinct? Overgrazing and habitat modification
A. P. Rollapadu 6* 20-30 Growing resentment against crop damage by
Blackbuck, mismangement of habitat, poaching when
the bustards outside the sanctuary
Gujarat Bhatiya 2* Extinct ? Administrative neglect and over-grazing
Naliya 3* 25-30 Land colonization

Important Bird Areas to benefit from Project Bustards

Andhra Pradesh Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary Kurnool
Gujarat Banni Grassland and Chhari Dhand Kutch
Gujarat Naliya grasslands Kutch
Karnataka Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary Dharwad
Maharashtra Bustard Sanctuary Solapur, Ahmednagar
Maharashtra Ozar, Wani and adjoining grasslands Nashik
Madhya Pradesh Ghatigaon Bustard Sanctuary Gwalior
Rajasthan Desert National Park Jaisalmer and Barmer
Rajasthan Diyatra Bikaner
Rajasthan Khichan Jodhpur
Rajasthan Sonkhilya Ajmer