Rewilding the Great Indian Bustard - A 'Jumpstart’

The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) conservation programme has entered a rewilding phase with the release of four male captive-bred GIBs into the wild at Desert National Park near Sam village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Historically affected by a 75% population decline over 30 years due to habitat loss and human pressures, the species is classified as Critically Endangered. Conservation-breeding facilities established in Sam and Ramdevra under a 2016 sanctioned outlay of Rs. 33.85 crore (and further supported by a National CAMPA approval of Rs. 77.05 crore in December 2024) house 96 birds. The initiative includes the 'Jumpstart Approach', transporting viable eggs to foster wild mothers in Gujarat, and utilizing dedicated rewilding aviaries and soft-release facilities to transition birds into protected grassland habitats.