Once abundant, Bengal Florican faces extinction

Bengal Florican, a bird once abundant, is on the verge of extinction due to phenomenal human encroachment into forest land.
According to Manas Tiger Project director Anindya Swargiary, the rare species is fighting for its survival and is included in the list of endangered creatures.
"The Bengal Florican was found in the grasslands of Asia and South East Asia. Just a few years ago the species was found in good numbers in the Brahmaputra valley," Swargiary pointed out.
Currently, the bird can be spotted in some areas of Uttar Pradesh, north Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and a few places in Assam, he said.

"In Assam, this bird is found specially in Manas, Kaziranga and Orang national parks. The exact figure is not available readily, but it has been estimated to be 200-800 birds," Swargiary said.
The Bengal Florican is very sensitive to its surroundings and it requires wide grasslands for its survival. To save this endangered species of bird, the protection of grasslands is essential, he said.