The Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis), a critically endangered grassland bird, faces severe threats across its range due to habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and human disturbances. Once spread across vast grasslands in Southeast Asia, the Bengal Florican’s habitat has fragmented, confining the species to small, isolated populations in Cambodia, India, and Nepal. This review synthesizes the conservation efforts and research conducted in these three countries, highlighting the strategies, successes, and challenges involved in conserving this unique species.
Cambodia
Cambodia is a critical refuge for the Bengal Florican, especially around the Tonle Sap floodplain, where grasslands offer an essential habitat. Here, both in-situ and ex-situ strategies have been implemented.
Protected Areas and Habitat Management
The Cambodian government, in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has established six Bengal Florican Conservation Areas (BFCAs) within the Tonle Sap grasslands, covering over 310 km². These designated zones allow for controlled human activity, balancing wildlife conservation with the needs of local communities. Habitat management practices, including maintaining open grassland through controlled grazing and fire regimes, play a significant role in ensuring suitable conditions for the Bengal Florican, which requires large, open grasslands for courtship displays and feedingx-situ Conservation Cambodia is home to the first-ever Bengal Florican breeding facility, located at the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB). This program aims to create a genetic reservoir for the Bengal Florican, with potential reintroduction into the wild. During the breeding season, eggs are carefully collected from natural nests, incubated in a controlled environment, and hand-reared. These efforts have led to the successful hatching of several chicks, establishing an assurance population to safeguard against future extirpations .
Engagement and Education
Local communities play a significant role in Bengal Florican conservation. Education programs emphasize sustainable agricultural practices, reducing habitat destruction. Community members are taught about the ecological importance of Bengal Florican habitats, and efforts have been made to incentivize sustainable land use practices that benefit both locals and the species. Collaborations between NGOs, government bodies, and local communities have resulted in improved attitudes toward the Bengal Florican and its habitat .
India
Research and Monitoring
India has conducted extensive surveys to monitor the distribution and habitat preferences of the Bengal Florican, providing critical data for conservation planning. The Bengal Florican Conservation and Research Initiative in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) of Assam is a leading program focusing on habitat restoration and community awareness. Ongoing research has highlighted the species’ dependency on specific grassland structures, and data collected is used to inform habitat management decisions .
Community Involvement
Indiaation programs place a strong emphasis on involving local communities. Through workshops, school programs, and village meetings, local populations are educated about the importance of conserving grassland ecosystems and the Bengal Florican’s role within them. These efforts are critical, as community-driven conservation can reduce habitat encroachment and foster positive local attitudes toward species preservation .
Nepal
Nepal’s Terai grasslands ficant Bengal Florican populations, particularly in protected areas like Chitwan National Park, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve.
Conservation Action Plans
The Government of Nepal has developed and implemented two Bengal Florican Conservation Action Plans (2016-2020 and an updated version for 2024-2033). These plans outline targeted strategies for habitat management, community engagement, and research. Major objectives include preventing habitat loss, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, and enhancing species protection through legislation .
Habitat Management
Grassland management in Ncontrolled process involving prescribed burns and grazing to prevent the natural succession of grasslands into scrub or forested areas, which would be unsuitable for the Bengal Florican. These grassland management practices have been implemented to maintain ideal habitats for Bengal Floricans, as well as for other species dependent on open grasslands. There are also measures to mitigate the impacts of nearby agriculture, which can encroach on these habitats .
Research and Monitoring
In Nepal, research focuses on tracking rican populations and studying their breeding ecology, habitat needs, and movement patterns. Techniques such as satellite tracking and field surveys provide valuable data for conservation planning. Initiatives led by both governmental and non-governmental organizations include engaging local citizens as community monitors to report sightings and track seasonal movement outside protected areas .