Andhra Pradesh
In a bid to ensure a secure future for two of the most critically endangered birds—Great Indian bustard and Jerdon’s Courser – the Forest Department is launching ‘Special Recovery Plans’ from April this year. While the Rs.10-crore programme for Jerdon’s Courser is all set to begin soon, a similar proposal has been submitted to the Ministry for Environment and Forests for its approval for the Great Indian Bustard. Jerdon’s Courser, which is endemic to the Andhra Pradesh State, was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1986 near Reddipalli village, Kadapa district. It is categorised as “critically endangered” in the IUCN Red List, indicating that species is closest to extinction. There might be around 25 birds of this species and are found only in the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary (located in the same district) in the world.