Concerns Arise Over the Lesser Florican Aviary in Sardarpur Constituency of Dhar District.

(MENAFN- Raidonnews) Sardarpur Constituency in Dhar district is known for its tribal majority population and has consistently been associated with the prominent issue of the Lesser Florican Aviary. The Lesser Florican Aviary, established on June 4, 1983, is dedicated to conserving the Lesser Florican bird species. Covering an area of approximately 348.12 hectares, the Lesser Florican Aviary encompasses a revenue region of 14 villages within the Sardarpur border.

With the impending assembly elections, the issue of the Lesser Florican Aviary has once again become a topic of discussion. A ban on land transactions, including buying and selling, has been imposed on the 14 villages, causing distress among the tribal communities. The affected tribal area demands a resolution to their predicament. Apart from the Lesser Florican Aviary, land transactions are also restricted in several other villages, such as Gumanpura, Bimrod, Chadawad, Piparni, Semlia,
Keria,Karnawad,Siyawad,Dhulet,Amodia,Songarh,Mahapura,Timaychi,Bhangarh .

Both the Congress and BJP have made promises to address this issue. Still, the rural communities continue to demand the lifting of the ban on land transactions due to the Lesser Florican Aviary's influence.

Addressing this situation, social activist Akshay Bhandari, from the Rajgarh constituency, has emerged as a proactive advocate for the concerns of the 14 villages. He has recently initiated discussions that have gained attention. Bhandari's argument centers on the fact that the Lesser Florican bird is fundamentally indigenous to India. He has made efforts through social media to dispel misconceptions about the bird's origin.

Bhandari's endeavors led to communications with Australian authorities to clarify the Lesser Florican's status. Experts from Australia's Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water Department confirmed that the Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) is not a native Australian species. Similarly, the Bombay Natural History Society and the Forest Department have identified the Lesser Florican as an Indian bird. Bhandari's efforts have resulted in ongoing discussions with the Forest Department, with communications extending from grassroots levels to official correspondence with the President's office.

According to available information, the Lesser Florican Aviary was established by the state government in 1983 for the conservation of the highly endangered Lesser Florican bird. The Aviary encompasses an area of 348.12 square kilometers, including the revenue land of 14 villages. The bird's migration has not been observed within the Aviary for several years, with sightings reported in nearby forested areas instead. Proposals for the Aviary's reestablishment have been submitted to the Madhya Pradesh State Wildlife Board and the government, awaiting consideration from the central government.

As the Lesser Florican bird's rare sightings have persisted for over 15 years, concerns arise about the potential for illegal land transactions. The proposed land notification could also help deter land mafias. Stamp-related disputes have further complicated the matter. The government faces the challenge of addressing these multifaceted issues.

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