In order to protect the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard bird and its habitat, the forest department has plans to announce 400 square km area surrounding the 366.76 square km Great Indian Bustard sanctuary in Solapur as a buffer or Eco-Sensitive zone. Once the decision comes into affect, no mining activity and setting up of chemical factory in the buffer area would be allowed.

Few weeks back, mid-day had reported that how the environmentalists and experts had demanded that the 10 square kilometre area outside the GIB sanctuary should be a No Pesticide Zone. It should be noted that GIB is a critically endangered bird with its population less than 300 in the country and 3 in Maharashtra.