Wildlife officials in Rajasthan have introduced an innovative, field-based conservation strategy to help the Great Indian Bustard (locally known as Godawan) breed and thrive in its natural habitat. Moving away from captive breeding programs, this new approach ensures that chicks are born and raised in the wild, maintaining their natural instincts and survival skills.
The strategy involves careful management of eggs laid in open desert nests — using dummy eggs for temporary replacement and ensuring chicks grow under their mothers’ care, without ever entering captivity. The goal is to revive the endangered species’ population and sustain its natural behaviour in the wild.
The approach involves temporarily collecting eggs laid in the wild, replacing them with dummy eggs, incubating the real ones in a controlled facility, and returning them to the nest shortly before hatching. This allows the chicks to hatch and grow naturally under their mothers’ supervision.
Captive breeding often disrupted natural behaviour among the birds. Many chicks struggled to adapt to the wild, and some mothers abandoned their nests upon detecting human interference. The new method reduces disturbance and supports a more natural breeding process.
Dummy eggs are crafted to match the real ones in size and weight. They are used to maintain the illusion of an undisturbed nest while the real eggs are safely incubated. Once hatching nears, the dummy is replaced with the actual egg.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) recommended this approach. Under its guidance, up to five dummy-real egg exchanges are permitted annually as part of the conservation initiative in Rajasthan.
The strategy is being implemented in the Desert National Park in Barmer, Rajasthan — home to most of the remaining wild populations of the Great Indian Bustard. Smaller populations also survive in parts of Gujarat.
The Great Indian Bustard’s population has fallen below 200 individuals in the wild. Rapid habitat loss, collisions with power lines, and human disturbances have made it one of India’s most critically endangered species.
The Great Indian Bustard is Rajasthan’s state bird and among the world’s heaviest flying birds. It stands about 1 metre tall and weighs between 8–15 kg. Once widespread across India’s grasslands, it now survives only in a few protected regions.
Yes. Forest officials work closely with wildlife scientists to monitor the collection, incubation, and reintroduction of eggs, ensuring that each step aligns with conservation best practices.
Yes. It is a time-sensitive and delicate process. Eggs must be returned at the correct stage of incubation, or mothers may reject them. However, the method strikes a careful balance between safety and the preservation of natural behaviours.
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