The Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a critically endangered bird, has witnessed a significant conservation breakthrough in Rajasthan. Officials successfully hatched a GIB chick through artificial insemination, marking the first instance of breeding this species using this method in India. This innovative approach could pave the way for establishing a genetic "sperm bank" for the species, enhancing its chances of survival.
The Great Indian Bustard is endangered primarily due to habitat loss, poaching, and collisions with overhead power lines. Once numbering over 1,000 in the 1960s, the population has plummeted to around 150, mainly in Rajasthan.
Human activities significantly disrupt the Great Indian Bustard's habitat. The expansion of renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind farms, has altered their natural environment. Power lines pose a constant threat, leading to fatal collisions, while human presence attracts stray animals that can harm the birds and their eggs.
The GIB's unique vision contributes to its vulnerability to power lines. While it has excellent peripheral vision, its frontal vision is limited, making it challenging to detect these obstacles. Combined with its large size and low flight agility, this increases the likelihood of fatal accidents.
In response to the declining population, the Rajasthan government, with the Wildlife Institute of India, established breeding centers in 2018 and 2022. These centers currently house 45 birds, including 14 chicks bred in captivity, with one chick born through artificial insemination. This method is vital for enhancing genetic diversity in a species with limited numbers.
Artificial insemination represents a significant breakthrough for the GIB. It facilitates breeding without relying on natural mating, crucial for a species with low population numbers. Establishing a "sperm bank" from male GIBs ensures future breeding opportunities, overcoming natural pairing limitations.
Reintroducing captive-bred GIBs into the wild presents challenges. Birds raised in captivity often imprint on human caretakers, resulting in a loss of survival instincts. Research indicates that captive-bred GIBs may lose 60-70% of their ability to survive independently. Rewilding efforts are further complicated by habitat loss and limited natural spaces for reintroduction.
The GIB has unique reproductive traits, laying only one egg at a time and investing two years in nurturing its young. This slow reproductive rate, combined with predation threats and habitat loss, exacerbates their population decline.
Renewable energy initiatives occupy significant portions of the GIB's habitat in Rajasthan. The associated power lines create dangerous barriers for the birds, and increased human presence introduces more hazards, including stray dogs posing threats to the birds and their eggs.
A recent Supreme Court ruling in April 2024 reversed an order mandating the underground relocation of power cables in GIB habitats. Instead, it suggested considering bird diverters as a solution, citing the high costs and technical challenges of underground cabling.
Bird diverters are reflective devices attached to power cables to enhance their visibility to birds. While they can reduce collision rates, conservationists argue that their effectiveness pales in comparison to underground cabling, particularly for birds like the GIB with limited frontal vision.
To conserve the Great Indian Bustard, experts recommend preserving its natural habitat, implementing underground power lines in critical areas, and enhancing breeding programs. Addressing these strategies is essential for balancing renewable energy expansion with environmental preservation.
Habitat fragmentation and increased accidents have severely affected the GIB's migration patterns. The lack of migration leads to isolated populations, raising the risk of inbreeding and potential genetic problems.
The survival of the Great Indian Bustard is crucial for maintaining ecological balance, as it preys on pests like rodents and snakes. Loss of biodiversity impacts not only the GIB but also the overall ecological health of its environment.
If conservation measures are effectively implemented, including habitat protection and strategic breeding, the GIB's population could stabilize and even increase. This would not only safeguard a unique species but also enhance India's ecological heritage.
Q1. What is the significance of the recent artificial insemination success for the Great Indian Bustard?
Answer: The successful artificial insemination of a Great Indian Bustard chick marks a pioneering conservation effort in India. This achievement offers new possibilities for breeding and enhancing genetic diversity, which is vital for the species' survival.
Q2. What are the main threats to the Great Indian Bustard's survival?
Answer: The primary threats include habitat loss, poaching, and collisions with power lines. Human activities like renewable energy projects further disrupt their natural habitats, contributing to their decline.
Q3. How does artificial insemination benefit the Great Indian Bustard conservation efforts?
Answer: Artificial insemination enables breeding without dependence on natural mating, crucial for species with low populations. It helps create a genetic "sperm bank," ensuring future breeding opportunities and genetic diversity.
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