Great Indian Bustards | 17 Jan 2025

Why in News? 

Researchers spotted 12 Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) at Desert National Park (DNP) in Rajasthan. This provides a major boost to efforts to conserve one of India's most critically endangered species. 

 Key Points 

• GIB Population Status: 
  • The GIB is critically endangered, with only 173 birds remaining. 
  • Of these, 128 are found in the wild, and the remaining birds are bred in captivity. 
  • Besides Rajasthan, the species is also found in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. 
• Conservation Efforts: 
  • The GIB was listed as "critically endangered" by the IUCN Red List in 2011 due to hunting, habitat loss, and fragmentation. 
  • In response, Rajasthan launched a Rs 12.90 crore project in 2013 to conserve the species, focusing on protecting its habitat and improving breeding conditions. 
    • The project has led to the successful breeding of 45 chicks in two locations, Sam and Ramdevra. 
• Habitat Protection and Breeding: 
  • The birds spotted were born in the wild, mostly females aged three to four years, with some males up to one year old. 
  • Efforts to protect their habitat include improving grasslands and fencing areas to shield the birds from predators such as desert foxes, cats, and mongooses. 
• Milestone in Conservation: 
  • In 2018, the Wildlife Institute of India, along with the Rajasthan government and the Forest Department, established the National Conservation Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer. 
    • In October 2024, Rajasthan achieved a milestone when a GIB chick successfully hatched through artificial insemination.