As the grassland in Sardarpur sanctuary in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh is shrinking due to the farming, not a single lesser florican bird has been spotted in the area this monsoon.
Lesser floricans, an endangered species, fly to grasslands of Madhya Pradesh every monsoon for breeding.
But no bird has been spotted at Sardarpur Sanctuary, which is specially developed for them, this season, said the Indore Range Chief Conservator of Forest Purshottam Dhiman.
"We are hopeful that these birds will be seen building nests in August when the grass grows tall," he said.
Dhiman conceded that the grassland in the sanctuary had shrunk in some areas due to farming in the land which comes under the revenue department, thus affecting the habitat of lesser floricans.
These birds are the smallest members of the the bustard family in India and are locally known as 'likh' and 'kharmor'.
Ornithologist Ajay Gadikar said only one lesser florican was seen in Sardarpur last year.
Earlier this month four lesser floricans including three females were spotted at Sailana wildlife sanctuary in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh.
According to Ajay, Dhar, Jhabua and Ratlam districts are their favourite breeding areas. They are also spotted in Rajasthan and Gujarat during this season, he said.
