Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards released into wild in Rajasthan under conservation efforts

The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying birds and serves as an indicator species for the health of grassland ecosystems. It is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, included in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and listed in Appendix I of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and the Convention on Migratory Species. The population has plummeted due to habitat loss (conversion of grasslands to agriculture), poaching, and fatally colliding with overhead power transmission lines, which is a major contemporary threat. The captive breeding and rewilding program, known as ex-situ conservation, is a critical intervention. This approach involves breeding species outside their natural habitat and then reintroducing them, which is essential when wild populations are too small to sustain themselves naturally. The success of breeding 53 chicks over two years highlights the effectiveness of these specialized facilities.

The release occurred in the Desert National Park (DNP), located in the Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. This park is an excellent example of the Thar Desert ecosystem and is uniquely suited for the GIB, which prefers arid and semi-arid grasslands. Understanding the habitat requirements of the GIB is vital for its conservation. The DNP provides a protected landscape, but the larger challenge remains managing the ecological corridors outside the park where the birds forage and breed. The GIB requires open expanses with minimal obstruction to detect predators. The proliferation of renewable energy projects (solar and wind) and their associated power lines in these arid regions has created a conflict between development and conservation. The Supreme Court of India has previously intervened, directing power companies to install bird diverters and consider undergrounding power lines in priority GIB habitats, underscoring the need for sustainable landscape planning.

The conservation effort exemplifies collaborative governance involving multiple stakeholders: the Union Environment Ministry setting national policy and funding, the state-level Rajasthan Forest Department executing ground operations, and the Wildlife Institute of India providing scientific expertise and research. This multi-agency approach is necessary for complex, long-term conservation projects that span different jurisdictions. Furthermore, the mention of the Prime Minister's support indicates the political will required to prioritize and fund biodiversity conservation. For UPSC aspirants, this highlights the practical implementation of Project Great Indian Bustard (launched by Rajasthan) and the broader Species Recovery Programme under the central government. The success of this rewilding initiative will depend on post-release monitoring, ensuring community participation, and mitigating threats in the wider landscape, demonstrating the need for adaptive management in environmental governance.