Conservation Efforts for Great Indian Bustard | 25 Oct 2024

Source: HT

Recently, a Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), the state bird of Rajasthan, successfully hatched an offspring through artificial insemination in Jaisalmer district, marking a significant milestone in conservation efforts. 

• Official estimates indicate that fewer than 150 GIBs are left in the wild in India, with 90% residing in the desert regions of Rajasthan and the remainder found in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. 
• The Jaisalmer breeding center was set up by the Rajasthan Forest Department as part of the Union environment ministry’s Bustard Recovery Program, launched in 2016. 
• Protection Status of GIB:  
  • IUCN: Critically Endangered 
  • CITES: Appendix 1 
  • Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix I 
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Read More: Safeguarding Great Indian Bustards