Key Facts & Data

  • Species: Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
  • Current captive population: 70 birds (as of 2026)
  • Recent achievement: Hatching of two chicks in the fourth year of the programme
  • Distribution: Primarily Thar Desert, Rajasthan; smaller pockets in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
  • Conservation status:
  • IUCN Red List – Critically Endangered
  • CITES – Appendix I
  • CMS – Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I
  • Other Indian bustards: Lesser Florican, Bengal Florican, Macqueen's Bustard

Background & Context

  • The Great Indian Bustard is the heaviest flying bird in India and an omnivore vulnerable to power‑line collisions due to limited frontal vision.
  • Decline driven by habitat loss (grassland conversion), hunting, collision with infrastructure, and disturbance.
  • Recognised as the state bird of Rajasthan, it serves as a flagship species for grassland ecosystem health.

Significance for India / Governance / Policy

  • Biodiversity indicator: Its survival reflects the condition of arid grasslands, which support numerous other flora and fauna.
  • Policy integration: Project GIB aligns with the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme of MoEFCC, emphasizing habitat restoration, community participation, and scientific monitoring.
  • Inter‑agency collaboration: Joint effort of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and Rajasthan Forest Department.
  • Economic & social angle: Grassland conservation benefits pastoral communities and can promote eco‑tourism.

Legal & Constitutional Provisions

  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I: Provides the highest level of protection; offences attract stringent penalties.
  • CITES Appendix I: International trade prohibited except for non‑commercial purposes like scientific research.
  • Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Appendix I: Obligates signatory nations to conserve the species and its habitat.
  • Article 48 of the Constitution: Directs the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard wildlife.

Conservation Measures under Project GIB

  • Captive breeding centre: Established in 2019 at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer.
  • Release programme: Gradual soft‑release of captive‑bred birds after health and behavioural assessments.
  • Habitat management: Removal of invasive species, controlled grazing, and installation of bird‑safe power lines.
  • Community outreach: Awareness campaigns with local shepherds and farmers to reduce persecution.
  • Research & monitoring: Use of satellite telemetry to study movement patterns and mortality causes.

Challenges & Way Forward

  • Power line collisions: Need for bird‑safe designs and underground cabling.
  • Habitat fragmentation: Restoration of contiguous grassland corridors.
  • Funding & capacity: Sustained financial support and technical expertise for long‑term monitoring.
  • Climate change: Anticipating impacts on arid ecosystems and adapting management plans.

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