RAS question
What is the local Rajasthani name of the Great Indian Bustard?
Correct answer: (D) Godawan.
In Rajasthan, the Great Indian Bustard is locally called Godawan.
Explanation
The official Rajasthan Forest Department page for Project Great Indian Bustard identifies the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) as locally called Godawan and frames the project around conserving its remaining population. Godawan is the local Rajasthani name of the Great Indian Bustard. This matters because the bird is Rajasthan's state bird and has IUCN status as critically endangered. The species belongs to Rajasthan's conservation context through Project Great Indian Bustard and the protection of its habitat. The official local name is Godawan.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Kurjan is wrong because Godawan, not Kurjan, is the local name of the Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan.
- (B) Kharmor is wrong because Godawan is the official local name of the Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan.
- (C) Sarus is wrong because Godawan is the local name of the Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan geography through state fauna, local nomenclature and conservation-linked species. It recurs in RAS because the Great Indian Bustard combines a Rajasthan state symbol with endangered-species conservation.