The bustard is largely a terrestrial bird and all its activities occur on the ground. The preferred habitat is grassland, with widely scattered bushes and trees (Plate 3.1). The bustard is an omnivorous and an opportunistic feeder. Its diet varies from insects, snakes and lizards to Bengal gram, taramira, groundnut and ripened fruits of Zyzaphus spp. Like other desert species, it is adapted to fairly long dry spells and drinks regularly only when water is available. The breeding season (March to August) of bustards coincides with the increase in natural food but the peak in breeding is reached in April and May (Rahmani and Manakdan 1986). Generally one, and rarely two eggs are laid on the bare ground and practically no efforts are made by the bird to build the nest. The most common predators of the bustards' eggs and chicks are crow, fox, jackal, monitor lizard and mongoose (Rahmani and Manakadan 1987) .The proposed sanctuary at Pohri had a record of 10 -15 Great Indian Bustards in the year 1984. The number of bustards in the year 1992 was 12 (Personal Communication with the staff of M.P. Forest Department at Pohri). The entire sanctuary area has 3 nesting sites. These are located near Morora, Dularo and Naraiyakheri villages and were visited during our field investigations. Of these, only two nesting sites now remain active near Morora and Dularo plateaux. Of the several deleterious factors which have lead to the declining trends in GIB number and habitat quality , accidental trampling by livestock and disturbances associated with tendu leaf collection are most significant. Several scientific opinions have confirmed that trampling of eggs by the livestock of the resident village in bustard habitats is a common feature that has a bearing on reproductive trends of this species.

A disturbance not noted at other bustard areas but having a significant magnitude here is associated with the activity of tendu leaves collection. With over 200 persons moving in the sanctuary area and several trucks plying regularly in the plateau areas during the collection season which coincides with the breeding season, destruction of eggs and habitat is further compounded.