Godavan,Vultures census to be conducted in Rajasthan after 12 yrs

Bikaner, Feb 4 (UNI) The Rajasthan Wild Life Department has decided to conduct census for ascertaining the status of present population of Great Indian Bustard(Godavan) and vultures after a gap of 12 years.

The census will begin from February 6 during which the census teams would be deployed in pockets in different districts identified as natural habitats of the above two bird species, Chief Conservator of Forests S S Chaudhary said.

Mr Chaudhary said Godavan census would be conducted in Diyatra, Bajju, Jaimalsar and certain other blocks in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer districts. Great Indian Bustard enjoys the status of the state bird of Rajasthan.

Census operations for Vultures of various species would be conducted in Borbeed(Bikaner), Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar and Jaisalmer districts.

The last Godavan census was held in 1996, he added.

UNI SS SHB HT1824