Nepal launches new plan to boost critically endangered Bengal florican

KATHMANDU — Nepal’s government has launched a new action plan for the conservation of the critically endangered Bengal florican, a bird whose population is declining amid mounting challenges across its range in the Indian subcontinent.

The 10-year plan proposes for the first time conservation in captivity of the Bengal florican, also known as the Bengal bustard (Houbaropsis bengalensis), such as in zoos or nurseries, in a bid to build up and restore a viable population of the bird. The plan also calls for expanding its habitat and gaining a better understanding of its ecology to reduce threats.