t also started a species recovery programme for 16 of them but was hampered by financial crunch and monitoring of the project.
“It was not possible to focus on all the 57 species together; so after talking to experts, the ministry started a species recovery programme for saving 16 species along with their habitats. Funding and implementation of the project are two areas that need to be strengthened,” said the official.
Among the 16 species for protection are Jerdon Courser (bird), vulture, gharial, wild buffalo, Great Indian Bustard and Gangetic dolphin.
“The shift in the thinking of the government that attention should also be paid to less glamorous animals compared to lions, tigers and elephants is good. Both the ministry officials and panel members agreed with t
