Justification

This species has declined rapidly in the past, probably as a result of changing agricultural practice and hunting in its wintering grounds, and possibly habitat loss in its breeding grounds. These factors qualify it as Vulnerable.

Threats

Hunting in both its breeding and wintering grounds has been the primary cause of its decline and continues to be a major threat in China. In India, intensification of arable cultivation and a change from the large-scale cultivation of pulses and mustard to wheat and rice has reduced the quality of habitat in its key wintering areas. Destruction of polar Populus woodland is believed to have had a major impact on the breeding population in eastern Kazakhstan.

Conservation

In China, 15 protected areas have been designated within its range. In India, it occurs around the Harike Lake Bird Sanctuary, Punjab.

Targets

*Survey its central Asian breeding range to establish the size and distribution of the breeding population, key threats and habitat requirements. *Investigate habitat requirements in its wintering grounds. *Protect important breeding habitat from further loss and degradation. *Protect it from hunting across its range, particularly in China, where it should be listed as a protected species, and in India. *Improve management of protected areas holding the species.