Panda, Special Issue

The articles in this publication aim to bring attention to the alarming status of four species of bustards found in India - the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indica), Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) and the Houbara (Chlamydotis undulata). The situation is critical for all, the first three of which are resident with the Houbara being a migratory species.

In the Introduction to this special issue, Dr. Asad R. Rahmani asks a precarious question - “Can we prevent the extinction of Indian Bustards?” Heading the checklist of solutions he provides, is the need to reorient ourselves towards conservation itself– to expand our idea of vicinity to include not only that which affects us, but also that which we affect.

This special issue of the Panda is one such attempt to, metaphorically and literally, bring the Bustards back into our vicinity. The articles in this issue speak not only of the problems at hand, but also present recommendations for various levels of action – solutions that trickle down to not only affect all of nature, but also to involve all humans.