Indian Grey Hornbill Successfully Reintroduced to Gujarat's Gir Forest After 60 Years
| Topic | Key Facts & Highlights |
|---|---|
| Species Reintroduced | Indian Grey Hornbill (absent from Gir Forest since the 1950s-1960s due to hunting pressure). |
| Scientific Findings | - Published in peer-reviewed journal Birds. - Study covers habitat choice, home range, nesting, feeding ecology. - Home range reduced from 61 sq km (initially) to 5.7 sq km (post-adaptation). |
| Ecological Role | - Key seed disperser (feeds on banyan, peepal, karamda, dhraman). - Supports forest regeneration, plant diversity, and ecosystem balance. - Also consumes insects, aiding ecological equilibrium. |
| Conservation Partners | Gujarat Forest Department and conservation organizations led the reintroduction project. |