In Culmination of 10 Years of Dedicated Efforts, Union Environment Minister and CM (Rajasthan) Initiate the Process for Release of Captive-Bred Great Indian Bustards into the Wild at Desert National Park, Jaislamer

Key Highlights:

• The process for releasing two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) into the wild was initiated at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• This marks a significant milestone after 10 years of dedicated conservation efforts for the critically endangered species.
• The rewilding is a transition from establishing a viable conservation-breeding population towards augmenting the species in its natural habitat.
• The Bustard Recovery Programme is a collaborative initiative involving the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Rajasthan Forest Department, and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
• Facilities at Sam and Ramdevra currently house 97 GIBs, with 11 earmarked for release into the wild.

Detailed Insights:

• Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav and CM Rajasthan Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma participated in the initiation during Wildlife Week 2026.
• The newly developed Rewilding Aviary at Ramdevra, constructed by the Rajasthan Forest Department, was also inaugurated.
• The program has seen success in Rajasthan and a "jumpstart" initiative in Gujarat, aiding species recovery.
• The GIB is considered an umbrella species for the Thar ecosystem and plays a role in grassland conservation.
• Conservation actions are guided by a Supreme Court of India judgment and recommendations from an Expert Committee.
• The program also aims to bring economic benefits to local communities through eco-tourism.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Great Indian Bustard (GIB): A critically endangered large bird species native to the Indian subcontinent, primarily found in grasslands.
• Desert National Park: A protected area in Rajasthan, India, known for its desert ecosystem and GIB habitat.
• Umbrella Species: A species whose conservation indirectly protects many other species within the same ecosystem.
• Central Asian Flyway: A major migratory bird route covering a large continental area of Eurasia, used by many bird species.