Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards released into wild in Rajasthan under conservation efforts
Bhupender Yadav said the milestone was the outcome of nearly a decade of unwavering dedication by our scientists, researchers, and ground staff to help the Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered bird, reclaim the deserts of Rajasthan
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Context
The Union Environment Minister released two captive-bred male Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) into the wild at the Desert National Park in Rajasthan. This marks a critical milestone in a collaborative conservation program aimed at rewilding the critically endangered species, which has seen successful captive breeding efforts resulting in significant chick populations over recent years.
UPSC Perspectives
Environmental
The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is one of the heaviest flying birds and is considered a flagship species of grassland ecosystems. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, included in Schedule I of the , and falls under Appendix I of the (CITES). The primary threats to the GIB include habitat loss (conversion of grasslands to agriculture), collisions with power lines, and hunting. The recent release of captive-bred birds is a crucial step in the species recovery program, which aims to bolster the critically low wild population. UPSC often tests knowledge on species' conservation status, their habitats (like the ), and specific threats they face. The success of this captive breeding and rewilding program, managed by the and the Rajasthan Forest Department, highlights the importance of targeted, science-based conservation interventions for critically endangered species.
Governance
The conservation effort for the GIB exemplifies successful collaborative governance in environmental protection. The initiative is a joint venture involving the , the state-level Rajasthan Forest Department, and the scientific expertise of the . This multi-stakeholder approach is essential for complex conservation challenges that require funding, administrative support, and specialized scientific research. Furthermore, the program aligns with India's commitments under the (CMS), often referred to as the Bonn Convention. In recent years, the Supreme Court has also intervened to mandate the undergrounding of power lines in GIB habitats to prevent fatal collisions, demonstrating the role of the judiciary in driving conservation policy. For Mains, this case study can be used to illustrate the necessity of coordinated action between central and state governments, scientific bodies, and the judiciary in achieving biodiversity targets.
Geographical
The rewilding of the GIB highlights the specific ecological characteristics of the Thar Desert ecosystem. The (DNP) in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is the last stronghold of the GIB and represents a unique, fragile arid ecosystem characterized by sand dunes, craggy rocks, and compact salt lake bottoms. The DNP is crucial not only for the GIB but also for other desert fauna like the chinkara, desert fox, and various raptors. The conservation of the GIB acts as an umbrella strategy; by protecting the GIB and its habitat, the entire grassland and desert ecosystem is inadvertently conserved. UPSC Geography questions frequently focus on specific national parks, their unique flora and fauna, and the climatic conditions that define them. Understanding the geographical distribution of the GIB—once found across the Indian subcontinent but now restricted to isolated pockets in Rajasthan and Gujarat—is vital for Prelims.