The project aims to protect the endangered forest owlet species by conducting an intensive survey of the species in the Dang region and other parts of south Gujarat. The forest owlet was thought to be extinct and was rediscovered after 113 years in several sites in India. However, the total known population remains very small and fragmented. Today, the bird is an endangered species and is inferred as declining. It has a tiny and severely fragmented population, known from fewer than 12 recent sites.
Through this project, VNC’s team is acquiring baseline information such as present population status, distribution, suitable forest owlet area, and conservation needs of the forest owlet across protected and non-protected areas in its possible distributional range in Gujarat. This project has facilitated in identifying priority areas for planning future conservation measures. By monitoring the population and their habitats, VNC can take the necessary steps to protect the forest owlet from further decline and preserve the species for future generations. This project is an important step towards conserving this unique and endangered bird species, ensuring that they continue to thrive in the wild.
