Patna: The Kadwa region in Bhagalpur has scripted an example of community participation in conserving wildlife. The region, which had around 78 greater adjutants a decade ago, is now home to more than 550 of these endangered birds that are found in Assam and Bihar in India and Cambodia outside the country.

The environment and forest department has also set up a rescue-cum-rehabilitation centre in Bhagalpur for these large-winged birds, the only one of its kind in the country.

In 2006, ornithologist Arvind Mishra started efforts to save these birds from local threats, particularly from the nomad community that used to kill the birds for food. Mishra started an awareness campaign about the bird and how it could bring a distinct identity to the whole region if they can be protected.

"Initially, residents thought I was after personal gains," Mishra said. "When I used to take injured birds for treatment, they thought I was doing so for commercial gains. After months of efforts, the villagers developed trust and joined hands to save the birds."

Arun Yadav of Kasimpur village admitted that he used to doubt Mishra's intentions. "But now we feel proud when people speak of our region as the one where the garuda (as the bird is called locally) breeds," he said.

Bhagalpur regional chief conservator of forest P.K. Gupta heaped praise on the residents and Mishra for their efforts. "The greater adjutant story is a perfect example of how things dramatically improve when community, non-government organisations and government join hands for a good cause and work in close cooperation," he added.

Gupta said 17 birds had o far been brought to the rehabilitation centre set up in 2014, of which five had been rehabilitated to the wild and five more were likely to be released in the wild very soon.

The greater adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) is a member of the stork family, Ciconiidae. Its genus includes the lesser adjutant of Asia and the marabou stork of Africa

The greater adjutant is considered to be the tallest species of storks, which is mainly concentrated in Kosi flood plains of Bihar. A fragmented population of this bird is also found in Gangetic flood plains, towards the south of Ganga.

Greater adjutants have a normal lifespan of 25years.