Latest news with #GreatIndianBustards
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Great Indian Bustards (GIB) revival hits roadblock again as Rajasthan refuses to share eggs, male bird with Gujarat
Gujarat's efforts to revive its Great Indian Bustard population have been thwarted again as Rajasthan refuses to share fertile eggs or male birds. This setback jeopardizes the survival of the species in Gujarat, where only three infertile females remain. AHMEDABAD: In a critical blow to the state's conservation efforts, Rajasthan has once again refused to share fertile eggs or male Great Indian Bustards (GIB), pushing one of India's most majestic birds closer to local extinction in Gujarat. Despite securing approval from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change for an innovative egg-replacement strategy - where dummy eggs were to be swapped with fertile ones from Rajasthan's breeding centre - Gujarat's project has failed to take off. The refusal, the third since 2015, has dented Gujarat's hopes, as only three female bustards remain in Kutch's Abdasa region. Although females can nest without mating, their eggs have been infertile in the complete absence of a male. The last time a male GIB was spotted in the region was in Dec 2018. Saying that strategy could have revived one of India's most critically endangered species in Gujarat's wild, senior officials said that the proposal was sent to Rajasthan for approval after the Union ministry's nod. The Gujarat forest department was hoping to implement the proposal this breeding season, which concludes in Oct. "Since it was a ministry proposal, the Rajasthan govt, instead of saying a direct no, said the experiment should be carried out in the wild on its own soil first. If successful, eggs would be shared with other states." Sources said this was the second time the Rajasthan refused to give GIB eggs. Conservation efforts in Gujarat have had their set of challenges. An official said that since 2019, the female GIBs in Abdasa have been laying and incubating infertile eggs and abandoning them some 20 days later. In 2024, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had offered a glimmer of hope by proposing the idea of bringing fertile eggs from Sam in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, and having them hatched by female GIBs sighted in Abdasa. Its suggestion also made the state responsible for monitoring the eggs and ensuring these are protected from predators. This idea was discussed at the 82nd meeting of the National Board of Wildlife held at Sasan in March this year. Minutes of the meeting state, "Dr H S Singh (board chairman) mentioned that there are three female Great Indian Bustards in Gujarat. They lay infertile eggs every year. If some fertile eggs from Rajasthan can be replaced, the GIB population in Gujarat can be recovered." An official added, "Chicks were to hatch and grow in their natural habitat, as those born at the breeding centre are released in the wild only after their third generation is born." WII officials say that a male could have contributed to the local population, as the last known male in the region is believed to have either migrated to Pakistan or have died.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Six GIBs sighted in Pak's Cholistan desert in rare wildlife record
Jaisalmer: Photographs showing six Great Indian Bustards roaming in Pakistan's Cholistan Desert were shared on social media by Pakistani wildlife expert and photographer Syed Rizwan Mehboob. In a post on X, Mehboob termed the sighting as a "new record" in rare wildlife sightings in Pakistan. "I clicked six critically endangered Great Indian Bustards (GIB) in the Cholistan desert today. Amazing conservation effort by Punjab Wildlife Dept - I am in tears having seen 10% of global GIB population today," he said, adding that this includes the first-ever recorded pictures of mating foreplay by the critically endangered GIBs from Pakistan's Cholistan Desert on July 20, 2025. Mehbood said his excitement stems from the realisation that GIB breeding may begin in Pakistan soon since the gular sac of the GIB, inflated as a courtship display, was visible in the photographs. Last year, five GIBs and one chick were observed in Pakistan's Cholistan. This year, the sighting of six GIBs has confirmed the existence of a pocket of GIB population in Pakistan. Dr Sumit Dookia, a senior wildlife expert associated with the ERDS Foundation, involved in community wildlife conservation in Jaisalmer, said that sighting six GIBs in a day was a rare occurrence, adding that the species requires undisturbed open grasslands. tnn
Time of India
18-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Waterhole census in DNP records rise in GIB count
Jaisalmer: The wildlife census conducted by forest department using the waterhole method from June 11 to June 12 has spotted 73 Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) in the Desert National Park (DNP), including 4 chicks in enclosures of breeding centres at Sudasari and Ramdevra. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a similar survey in 2024, 64 bustards were seen, while no count was conducted in 2023 due to heavy rains. In 2022, 42 bustards were recorded. The sighting of a larger number of GIBs, a species that is on the brink of extinction, has enthused wildlife lovers, who point out that the GIB population is increasing both in the wild and at the breeding centres at Sudasari and Ramdevra. B M Gupta, DFO of Desert National Park, stated that joint efforts by Union and state govts, along with scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India, are yielding promising results. The census, which lasted 24 hours, involved counting wildlife at natural and artificial water sources. At DNP, the census was held at 52 water points. Along with 73 GIBs, 47 desert cats, 125 foxes, 120 desert foxes, 2,133 chinkaras, 150 vultures, 106 cranes, and approximately 250 peafowls were spotted. DFO in Jaisalmer, Kumar Shubham, stated this year's census showed a 20% increase in the total wildlife population across the six ranges of Jaisalmer forest division.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
73 Great Indian Bustards spotted during ‘waterhole survey' in Jaisalmer
73 Great Indian Bustards, also known as 'Godawan,' were spotted in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district during the annual waterhole survey, a method used for wildlife census. The survey began at midnight on June 11, coinciding with Vaishakh Purnima (the full moon night), and continued uninterrupted for 24 hours until June 12. Vaishakh Purnima is selected for the census as it typically falls during peak summer, when temperatures in Rajasthan soar above 45°C. The intense heat forces wildlife to visit waterholes at least once every 24 hours, increasing the chances of sightings. Additionally, the full moon provides natural light throughout the night, enabling easier observation without artificial lighting—making it the most effective time for wildlife monitoring across India. Brij Mohan Gupta, district forest officer (DFO) of the Desert National Park (DNP), confirmed the sightings and expressed optimism about the bird's increasing presence in its natural habitat. Also Read: 64 Great Indian Bustards spotted during 'Waterhole' survey Wildlife expert and environmentalist Sumer Singh Bhati noted that the rise in wild sightings—alongside the success of the breeding program—offers hope for the long-term survival of the species in the Thar Desert ecosystem. 20% rise in overall wildlife numbers In addition to the Godawan count, this year's census revealed a 20% increase in the overall wild animal population across the six ranges of the Jaisalmer Forest Division. According to Kumar Shubham, deputy conservator of forests (DCF), a total of 2,592 wild animals were observed— up from last year's count. The census was conducted across six ranges—Pokaran, Chhayan, Sam, Lathi, Dabla, and Jaisalmer headquarters—with around 55 forest personnel monitoring 24 water points continuously for 24 hours. The results were described as highly encouraging, supported by favorable weather conditions that allowed for clear visibility and high wildlife activity. Among the animals counted were 933 Chinkaras, 106 cranes (Sarus), 22 foxes, along with hares, jungle cats, and other species. In comparison, the 2024 census recorded 64 Godawans, while 42 were spotted in 2022. The 2023 census could not be conducted due to unexpected rainfall owing to a western disturbance, which disrupted the usual animal movements and visibility necessary for the survey. The 2024 census recorded more than 1,000 Chinkaras, 30 desert cats, 150 foxes, and over 100 vultures—a notable reflection of improving ecological health in the region. The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and Schedule I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)—providing it the highest level of legal protection.
The Print
15-05-2025
- General
- The Print
9 Great Indian Bustard chicks were moved from Jaisalmer to safety in night op amid Pakistani shelling
Sam is 40 km from the India-Pakistan border, and Ramdevra is 225 km away. Initially housed in Jaisalmer's Ramdevra Great Indian Bustard Conservation Centre, and Sam Conservation and Breeding Centre, both close to the India-Pakistan border which had come under gunfire and artillery shelling, the Great Indian Bustard chicks had to be evacuated. The birds—categorised as critically endangered—took a long journey to Ajmer, where they are now ensconed in an entirely different centre. New Delhi: Nine newborn Great Indian Bustard chicks aged five to 28 days were among those who bore the brunt of the India-Pakistan standoff. The nine birds travelled 10 hours, covering over 200 km from their birth centres in Jaisalmer to the Ajmer centre in Arwar village. The Ajmer centre houses lesser Floricans, another critically endangered bird and the smallest in the bustard family. The transfer currently remains an 'interim measure' but also opens up the possibility of a satellite centre away from Jaisalmer, serving as a potential home for the captively bred Great Indian Bustards. 'Arwar is a bigger centre than Sam, and additional infrastructure is under construction. Activities in Arwar are also similar [to what happens in Ramdevra and Sam],' said Sutirtha Dutta, a Wildlife Institute of India (WII) senior scientist, who helms the bustard conservation programme. 'We are also building an additional cage, which will be ready in the next one to two months.' The cages being developed are the same model as the ones existing in the other centres, except bigger, and the additional cage would accommodate 20 birds. Meanwhile, Ramdevra is also upping the ante by building two new cages. There are currently 64 captively bred Great Indian Bustards. A collaboration between the WII and the Rajasthan forest department, their conservation programme has been hailed as a success. Ramdevra houses 28 birds, Sam 24, and now, Arwar nine. No final decision on the transfer of Arwar's nascent Great Indian Bustard population has, so far, been made. 'Discussions are still ongoing. We haven't had any discussion on Ajmer as a third centre,' said Rajasthan Deputy Conservator of Forests Brijmohan Gupta. However, Dutta said that 'for Great Indian Bustards of this size, as well as the lesser Floricans, the infrastructure needed is nearly the same'. He added that the India-Pakistan escalations, which made the conservation programme 'vulnerable', called for a 'spur of the moment decision'. In the event of a 'calamity' at Sam, more birds could have been transferred. The Great Indian Bustards that moved reflect a genetically diverse stock, including those born by artificial insemination. A over-200 km journey Of the nine birds moved to the Arwar centre, four are from Sam and five from Ramdevra. Carried in AC vehicles on soft-suspension foam beds, the birds, accompanied by technicians, were moved on 10 May at night. Transfers are regular between Ramdevra and Sam. Transportation, therefore, did not become as big an issue as it could have been. According to Dutta, Great Indian Bustards can be transported easily when they are young till they reach three-four months of age. However, the journey to Alwar was far longer than the travel time GIBs are accustomed to. According to conservation biologist Sumit Dookia, who has been instrumental in turning the local population of Jaisalmer into Great Indian Bustard stakeholders, the move was in the pipeline. However, the India-Pakistan conflict hastened the process. 'Over the last two to three years, efforts have been made to build a centre away from Jaisalmer,' he said. 'The current escalatory situation was used to convince local people that this was a move to save the Great Indian Bustard from the upcoming situation.' The locals were reluctant about the transfer since they have forged a deep bond with the Great Indian Bustards, and tending to the wild birds is now a part of Jaislamer's culture. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Frantic car ride to hunkering in hotel basement, how my father's advice got me through Poonch shelling
