Conservation plan for endangered Kharmor species gets final nod

A CONSERVATION plan for endangered bird popularly known as Kharmor in Dhar and Neemuch has been given final nod. An amount of Rs 153 lakh will be released under the project from Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Under this project, bird and its eggs will be conserved at 673 hectare of land.

A special stone wall will be constructed on the land to conserve the eggs. Kharmor thrives on insects and prefers cover to lay eggs. traditional crops like arhar, jawar, moong, urad and chana attract lots of insects and also provides cover to the bird. Officials of Forest Department said that in past five years, Kharmor has been sighted in these areas. Birds were recently located in Sardarpur area of Dhar district after which a proposal was made to conserve the species.

The Forest Department earlier demanded an amount from CAMPA fund to conserve the species which got final approval. Under this project, 673 hectare of forest land has been selected where walls will be constructed in 250 hectare of land. Construction work for this project will be started from September onwards. Traditional crops will be developed especially in the land to attract Kharmor. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ Divisional Conservator of Forest (DCF) Rajnish Kumar said, “Efforts to conserve Kharmor bird was made earlier but it was biggest challenge to save their eggs from dogs and jackals. The new proposal includes high walls made of stone with a purpose to save their eggs.

He said the species prefer to lay eggs in long grasses and after making walls, dogs, jackals and other animals will not enter and the eggs will be safe and protected. It takes about three months for the eggs to hatch. After the process of hatching is complete, grasses will be given to villagers for use. He said other challenge of this project is local villagers who do not support Kharmor conservation plan because Forest Department do not allow their cattle to graze the grass developed for birds only. He said when grasses will be given to villagers after hatching of eggs, villagers will be supporting the project.