In what can be seen as a positive step toward elevating grasslands in India’s conservation agenda, the BNHS team met Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupendra Yadav to highlight the urgent need for grassland conservation.
Furthermore, BNHS, in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, has begun a systematic survey of the critically endangered lesser florican across western Madhya Pradesh. The team is optimistic that the findings will help shape long-term strategies for habitat restoration and policy interventions, offering renewed hope for one of India’s most threatened grassland birds.
BNHS Advocates for Grassland Conservation in Meeting with Environment Minister
BNHS Director Kishor Rithe and Deputy Director Dr Sujit Narwade met Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupendra Yadav to highlight the urgent need for grassland conservation. BNHS underscored that grasslands, often misclassified as ‘wastelands’, are vital habitats for species like the great Indian bustard, lesser florican, and caracal. The Minister expressed concern over declining populations of grassland-dependent species. BNHS proposed establishing State Grassland Authorities – on the lines of Wetland Authorities – to strengthen legal and institutional protection. The meeting marks a positive step toward elevating grasslands in India’s conservation agenda.
BNHS Launches Systematic Survey of Lesser Florican in Madhya Pradesh
BNHS, in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, has begun a systematic survey of the critically endangered lesser florican Sypheotides indicus across western Madhya Pradesh. Timed with the breeding season, the survey will assess habitat conditions and record sightings in key sites such as Sailana (Ratlam), Petlawad (Jhabua), Jeeran (Neemuch), and Sardarpur (Dhar). Field teams are conducting transect walks, habitat mapping, and community engagement to strengthen both scientific knowledge and local awareness. The findings will help shape long-term strategies for habitat restoration and policy interventions, offering renewed hope for one of India’s most threatened grassland birds.