Conservation Breeding Centres

Chinkara Breeding Centre, Kairu is a protected Chinkara breeding centre in Kairu village, Tosham tehsil, Bhiwani district, Haryana, India. The Ch. Surender Singh Memorial Herbal Park, Kairu is located nearby.

Description

The centre is a protected Chinkara breeding centre and tourist attraction located in 60 acres (24 ha) of undeveloped mixed forest. The centre started in 1985 with 10 animals, and as of April 2013 had 66 animals (22 males, 44 females, and 2 young). The animals are fed twice a day (morning and evening). Today, it is an exceptional tourist attraction, as visitors can see a rich diversity of flora and fauna across the 60-hectare area.

Managed by the Haryana Forests Department, the Bhor Saidan Crocodile Breeding Centre is dedicated to the captive breeding and conservation of the freshwater mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), native to India. It is located at Bhor Saidan village on Kurukshetra-Pehowa Road in Kurukshetra district, approximately 13 km from the old Kurukshetra Bus Stand and 22 km from the new Kurukshetra Bus Stand (Sector 10). Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary lies about 10 km to the south between Nikatpura and Sarsa.

Significance

Bhor Saidan is one of four crocodile breeding centres in India. Two of the other centres—Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre, Lucknow—are rated among the top crocodile breeding centres by the National Geographic Society. Madras Crocodile Bank breeds all three native crocodile species of India (freshwater muggers, freshwater gharials, and saltwater crocodiles), while Kukrail breeds only freshwater gharials. The fourth notable centre is Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary.

History

• In the 1930s, the Mahants of the nearby Bhureeshwar Temple brought a few mugger crocodiles and released them in the pond next to the temple.
• After the decline of native mugger, gharial, and saltwater crocodile populations in India, the UNDP-FAO Crocodile Breeding and Management Project was launched in 1975 in cooperation with the Government of India and various state governments.
• Between 1975 and 1982, 16 crocodile rehabilitation centres and 11 crocodile sanctuaries were established, and crocodiles were released in 19 sanctuaries.
• Bhor Saidan was established as one of these sanctuaries in 1982 as part of the UNDP-FAO project. In 1982–83, the Bhor Saidan village panchayat provided 15+ acres to the Government of Haryana to expand the centre, and the Forests Department of Haryana assumed management.

Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre, Pinjore is a dedicated conservation facility located at Pinjore in Panchkula district, Haryana, India. The centre is managed by the Haryana Forest Department in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society. It was established in 2001 to conserve critically endangered vulture species.

Description

The centre was set up following the drastic decline in vulture populations due to the veterinary drug diclofenac. It maintains secure aviaries and follows scientific captive breeding practices to ensure safe breeding and population recovery of vultures under protected conditions.

Species Conserved

• White-rumped Vulture
• Indian (Long-billed) Vulture
• Slender-billed Vulture

Purpose

• Conservation: To prevent extinction of critically endangered vulture species.
• Captive Breeding: To increase vulture populations under scientific management.
• Reintroduction: To release captive-bred vultures into safe, diclofenac-free habitats.
• Biodiversity Protection: To maintain ecological balance by restoring vulture populations.

The Pheasant Breeding Centre, Morni is a purpose-built centre for the breeding of pheasants, situated in Panchkula district in Morni, a village and tourist attraction in the Morni Hills of Haryana. It is located around 45 km from Chandigarh and 35 km from Panchkula. The area is known for its Himalayan views, diverse flora, and scenic lakes.

History

• During 1992-93 to 1995-96, a few eggs were collected from the wild and hatched at the centre.
• After 1996, most of the population increase came from breeding at the centre itself, using broody hens for brooding and hatching.
• In 1998-99, fourteen birds born in the summer of 1998 were released into the forest area.
• In 1999, seven birds were released, and in 2000, another 10 birds were released. In total, 31 sub-adult birds were released into pre-selected suitable habitats.

Peacock & Chinkara Breeding Centre, Jhabuwa is a 750-acre protected reserve forest in Jhabuwa village, dedicated to the conservation of peacocks (Indian peafowl) and Chinkaras. It is located 15 km south of Bawal in Rewari district, Haryana, approximately 100 km from Delhi, 70 km from Gurugram, and 200 km from Hisar.

History

This centre, managed by the Forests Department of Haryana, was officially inaugurated on 4 October 2011 by then Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. The state government committed funding of around Rs. 20 crore over 20 years to support its operations.

Reserve Forest

The Jhabuwa reserve forest spans the area between Jhabuwa, Bidawas, Bhadoj, and Khijuri villages. Out of the 750 acres, 80 acres are allocated for the captive breeding of Chinkaras and Indian peafowl. In February 2018, 20 peacocks were tagged with the assistance of the Bombay Natural History Society for long-term studies of movement and health and were then released back into the wild.

Haryana has a key Red Junglefowl breeding centre at the Pheasant Breeding Centre in Berwala, Panchkula, established by the Forest Department for conservation. Alongside another site at Morni, these centres focus on breeding and releasing birds back into natural Sal Forest habitats to support biodiversity.

Key Locations & Details

• Pheasant Breeding Centre, Berwala, Panchkula: Breeds Red Junglefowl, Cheer Pheasant, and Kalij Pheasant for release into the wild, supporting conservation and biodiversity.
• Morni (near Panchkula): Breeding site for pheasants, including Red Junglefowl, with the goal of reintroduction into their natural habitats.

Purpose

• Conservation: To protect and increase populations of native pheasant species.
• Reintroduction: To release bred birds into their natural forest habitats, such as Sal forests.
• Biodiversity: To maintain and enhance regional wildlife diversity.