Ahmedabad, Sep 14 (PTI) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Monday inaugurated a Soft Release Centre for the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) at Naliya in Gujarat’s Kutch district.
Yadav interacted with officials of MoEFCC, Gujarat forest department, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Border Security Force (BSF), besides local community members, and reviewed efforts to protect the critically endangered bird, a PIB release informed.
The Soft Release Centre is equipped with infrastructure to support the conservation, monitoring and gradual adaptation of GIBs to the natural environment, Yadav said in a post on X.
He described the bird as playing an “indispensable role” in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and as a cultural symbol of India’s arid heritage.
During the visit, Yadav was briefed on restoration of around 11 square kilometres of grassland infested with the invasive Prosopis juliflora and the raising of 30 kilometre of predator-proof fencing covering 15 square kilometres, the release said.
He was also briefed on the pioneering ‘jump-start’ intervention, under which infertile eggs laid by wild GIB females were replaced with viable eggs from the conservation breeding programme.
The chick resulting from the second such attempt has survived beyond the critical first three months in the wild, which officials described as a landmark result for the species’ recovery in Gujarat.
Yadav appreciated the coordinated efforts of the Gujarat forest department and WII and later flagged off 33 new patrolling and rescue vehicles. The vehicles will be used across divisions under Kutch Forest Circle for forest protection and development, wildlife protection, patrolling, monitoring and quick-response activities.
He also held an informal meeting with representatives of local communities, seeking their support for GIB conservation.
In his X post, Yadav said local pastoralist and agricultural communities in Kutch were key to the success of the conservation programme and highlighted the importance of community-led stewardship in environmental protection.
The minister later visited the ‘Hariyalu Gram’ plantation site at Sayara village, where he was briefed on the ‘Van Kavach’ initiative and an associated bee-keeping unit.
The Van Kavach has been developed over 9.46 square kilometres using the Miyawaki method of dense, multi-layered afforestation. It has more than 10,000 saplings belonging to 47 native species suited to Kutch’s saline and low-water conditions.
According to the release, the model is expected to lower local temperatures by 1.5-2 degrees Celsius, aid groundwater recharge, prevent soil erosion and provide habitat for birds, insects and small wildlife.
It is also intended to promote eco-tourism, environmental education and local employment.
In his X post, Yadav said Gujarat had adopted the Van Kavach model to develop dense, green and biodiversity-rich forest areas in limited spaces in urban and rural areas.
He said the initiative was “not merely tree plantation” but a natural green protective shield around human settlements, bringing together tree plantation, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, environmental education and public participation.
At Jakhau, Yadav visited a mangrove nursery and took part in a mangrove plantation drive along with BSF personnel and local residents.
He also viewed a photo exhibition on mangrove plantation efforts in Kori Creek and Sir Creek areas, visited a seaweed seed bank and interacted with experts.
He further met seaweed cultivators and beneficiaries of the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) programme, the release said. PTI PJT PD BNM
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