Conservation Success for Great Indian Bustard

Summary of Conservation Initiative for Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

1. Conservation Efforts:

• A Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick was hatched in Kutch, Gujarat, as part of a novel conservation initiative named "jumpstart."
• This initiative is notable for being the first inter-state collaboration in India aimed at GIB conservation.

2. Transportation of Egg:

• A captive-bred GIB egg was transported from Rajasthan to Gujarat via a 770-km road journey, taking over 19 hours in a portable incubator.
• The egg was placed in the nest of a tagged female GIB on March 22, 2026. The female had previously laid an infertile egg.

3. Hatching Success:

• The chick hatched successfully on March 26, 2026, and is being monitored in its natural habitat by a field monitoring team.

4. Government Involvement:

• The initiative was coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and involved the State Forest Departments of Rajasthan and Gujarat, along with the Wildlife Institute of India.
• This effort is part of Project GIB, a program initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2011 and formally launched in 2016 to conserve the species.

5. Current Population in Conservation:

• There are currently 73 GIBs in captivity at breeding centers in Sam and Ramdevra (Rajasthan), with five new chicks added during the breeding season.

6. Long-term Conservation Goals:

• The initiative underscores India's commitment to wildlife conservation, with a focus on moving towards rewilding populations of GIB.
• The government aims to strengthen the conservation and recovery efforts necessary for the survival of this critically endangered species.

7. Significance of the Initiative:

• The successful hatching represents a crucial step in the recovery of the Great Indian Bustard population, reflecting ongoing efforts to protect wildlife in India.

Key References:

• Project GIB: Initiated in 2011, formalized in 2016.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC): Main coordinating body for the jumpstart conservation initiative.
• Great Indian Bustard: Critically endangered species with significant conservation efforts underway.

Conclusion: The successful hatching of the GIB chick marks a critical achievement in conservation initiatives aimed at protecting and reviving the population of one of India's most endangered birds, bolstered by government and scientific collaboration.