A Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick was successfully hatched in Kutch (Abdasa region), Gujarat after nearly a decade through a “jumpstart approach”, marking a major milestone in India’s conservation efforts. The initiative was coordinated by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change along with State Forest Departments of Gujarat & Rajasthan and the Wildlife Institute of India.
This is the first inter-state conservation effort of its kind aimed at reviving a critically endangered species in a region where natural reproduction had become impossible.
Key Highlights of Initiative
- First GIB chick born in Gujarat in 10 years
- Only 3 female GIBs remained in Kutch, thus no natural fertilisation possible
- Use of “jumpstart approach” to introduce a fertile egg
- Egg transported over 770 km (19-hour journey) from Rajasthan
- Portable shock-proof incubator used during transport
- Chick hatched on March 26 and is being raised in natural habitat
- Female GIB (radio-tagged in Aug 2025) acted as foster mother
How the Jumpstart Approach Worked
- A 15–16 day-old fertilised egg sourced from Rajasthan breeding centre
- Transported safely and replaced with infertile egg in Gujarat nest
- Female bird completed natural incubation (~22 days total cycle)
- Successful hatching in wild conditions
Significance:
- Enables reproduction in isolated populations lacking males
- Combines captive breeding and natural rearing
Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
- Conceptualised by Narendra Modi in 2011
- Launched in 2016
- Aim: Conservation in natural habitats (Rajasthan, Gujarat)
Current Status
- 73 GIBs in breeding centres (Sam & Ramdevra, Rajasthan)
- 5 new chicks added in current breeding season
- Focus shifting towards rewilding of species
About Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
- Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps
- State Bird of Rajasthan
- Known as “Ghorad” in Gujarat
Distribution
- Major: Rajasthan, Gujarat
- Minor: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Population Status
- <150 individuals in wild
- Extremely restricted distribution
Conservation Status
| Category | Status |
| IUCN Red List | Critically Endangered |
| CITES | Appendix I |
| CMS | Appendix I |
| Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 | Schedule I |
Threats to Survival
- Collision/electrocution from power lines
- Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion
- Hunting (notably in neighbouring regions)
- Slow reproduction rate:
- Few eggs
- Long parental care (~1 year)
- Maturity: 3–4 years
Conservation Measures in India
- Species Recovery Programme: Under Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (MoEFCC)
- Breeding Facility: Established at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer (2019)
- National Bustard Recovery Plans: Long-term habitat & population management
- Conservation Breeding Programme (2019)
- Artificial hatching of eggs
- First chick “Uno” (2019)
- Multiple chicks successfully raised
- Firefly Bird Diverters
- Installed on power lines
- Act as reflectors to prevent collisions