Lesser Florican Conservation Crisis | 13 Aug 2025
Why in News?
The unchecked release of stray dogs from Nasirabad and Ajmer into the forested expanse of Arwar Conservation Reserve has emerged as a grave threat to the Lesser Florican.
Key Points
- Decline in Population: The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), once common in Rajasthan’s monsoon grasslands, has experienced a catastrophic 97% decline.
- In the year 2025, only one male was spotted in the breeding grounds of Ajmer, Kekri, and Shahpura, a sharp decrease from 39 in 2020.
- A landscape survey by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) highlighted the species' dwindling numbers, with the lone male observed near Bandanwara.
Lesser Florican (Sypheotides Indicus)
- It is one of three bustard species endemic to India, the others being the Bengal florican (Critically Endangered) and the Great Indian Bustard (Critically Endangered).
- It is the smallest of the bustard family and is renowned for its spectacular leaping breeding display.
- In the local language, the bird is known as ‘tanmor’ or ‘kharmor’, derived from the root word ‘mor’ for peacock.
- It is mainly observed in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
- Conservation status:
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
- Wildlife Protection Act,1972: Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix II