The Great Indian Bustard: A Symbol of Conservation in India

THE GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD (GIB): INDIA’S ENDANGERED GRASSLAND GIANT

1. What is the GIB?

The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is a large, long-legged, ground-dwelling bird native to India’s grasslands. Classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, it is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. Shy and slow-moving, it is highly vulnerable to man-made threats such as power lines and stray predators. Its low reproductive rate further complicates recovery efforts.

2. Why is it ecologically important?

• Umbrella species for dry ecosystems: Protecting the GIB safeguards other species sharing the same grassland habitat, such as the Indian fox, wolf, and lesser florican.
• Grassland ecosystem health: Grasslands act as carbon sinks and groundwater recharge zones. Their dense root systems prevent soil erosion and support biodiversity.
• Livelihood linkages: GIB habitats double as grazing lands for pastoral communities and support insect populations that aid natural pest control in nearby farmlands.
• Cultural value: Known as Godawan in Rajasthan, the bird holds symbolic importance as the state bird of Rajasthan.

3. What was its original geographical range?

Historically, the GIB was found across 11 Indian states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. Today, it is restricted mainly to the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, with scattered individuals in other regions.

4. Why is it in danger?

• Habitat loss: Conversion of grasslands into farmland and infrastructure projects.
• High-tension power lines: Frequent collisions due to poor frontal vision.
• Predation: Eggs and chicks are often killed by stray dogs and wild predators.
• Slow reproduction: Females lay only one egg per year; survival rates in the wild are extremely low.
• Illegal hunting: Once targeted for meat and sport in earlier decades.

5. What are the conservation efforts?

A. Protection Zones and Habitat Recovery

• Desert National Park (Rajasthan): Over 70% of wild GIBs now breed here.
• Fenced grassland pockets: Areas secured from cattle, people, and predators.
• Native grasses planted: Attract insects such as grasshoppers, a key food source for GIBs.
• Tech-enabled monitoring: Daily field surveillance through mobile tracking apps.

B. Artificial Incubation and Chick Rearing

• Eggs are collected from nests using GPS tracking and replaced with dummy eggs.
• Two incubation centres are operational — at Sam and Ramdevra (160 km apart).
• Special temperature-controlled transport systems ensure egg safety.
• Artificial incubation has increased hatch rates from 37% (in the wild) to 96%.
• Artificial insemination is being explored to enhance genetic diversity among captive populations.

C. Human Parenting and Chick Care

• Handlers mimic natural parental behaviour through soft humming sounds.
• Chicks are raised in sterile, temperature-controlled, predator-proof enclosures.
• The IFHC model (from Abu Dhabi) has been adapted to Indian conditions using local vegetation and pellet feed.

D. Founder Birds and Population Building

• Founder birds: Individuals hatched from wild eggs, serving as the genetic base for captive breeding.
• Currently, there are 33 founder birds (19 females, 11 males, and 3 undetermined chicks).
• Since inception, 44 wild eggs have been collected — 5–10 annually.

E. Future Release Plans

• Desert National Park: Captive-bred birds expected to be released by 2026.
• Karnataka: Restoration efforts at Ranebennur and Siruguppa aim for reintroduction between 2028–2029.

F. Policy and Legal Action

• Supreme Court directives: High-tension power lines in GIB habitats to be buried underground (implementation ongoing).
• Compensatory afforestation: Mining companies in Karnataka are restoring degraded lands to rebuild grassland ecosystems.

“The Great Indian Bustard is not just a bird—it is a measure of how well India protects its most fragile ecosystems.”