The Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis, a habitat specialist bird, is one of the three bustards found in the Indian subcontinent. It belongs to the Gruiformes order and Otididae family. It is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red Data Book, as protected on National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act in Nepal and under Appendix 1 of CITES. A survey of the Bengal Florican was carried out in April-May 2007 in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Bardia National Park and Chitwan National Park in Nepal. The aim of the survey was to determine status, distribution and population change. The methods involved counting of lekking sites and identification of territories. Totals of 8-9 males and 2 females at Suklaphanta, 1-2 males at Bardia and 5-7 males at Chitwan were recorded. Compared to past studies, the population has declined by 56% since 1982 and by 30% since 2001.
Probable threats include loss of short grassland by anthropogenic and natural factors, inappropriate grassland management practices, disturbances and susceptibility to predators. Appropriate management interventions including proper timing of burning/cutting, uprooting of unfavorable species from the grasslands, and captive breeding and releasing chicks in their natural habitats which are recommended for long term conservation of this endangered bird.
Poudyal, L.P., Singh, P.B. and Maharjan S. (2008). Status and Distribution of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in Nepal, 2007: Report to the Oriental Bird Club, UK and the Club 300 Foundation for Bird Protection, Sweden. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, and Bird Conservation Nepal, Kathmandu.
