Great Indian Bustard: Three More Chicks Under Project GIB
Why in the news
The Environment Minister announced that Project Great Indian Bustard has added three more chicks to its captive breeding effort, a boost for a species with very few birds left in the wild.
Key facts
- Scientific name: Ardeotis nigriceps; a large ground-dwelling bird of the Indian subcontinent.
- One of the heaviest flying birds; adult males weigh up to 15-18 kg and stand nearly 1 metre tall.
- Called the flagship indicator species of grassland health.
- Wild stock: fewer than 150 birds, mostly in Rajasthan, with the main group in Desert National Park near Jaisalmer.
Protection status
| Listing | Category |
|---|---|
| IUCN Red List | Critically Endangered |
| Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 | Schedule I (highest legal protection) |
| CITES | Appendix I (bars international commercial trade) |
About Project GIB
- Began in 2013-14 as a Central scheme for conservation breeding and habitat protection.
- Breeding centres: Desert National Park (Sam, Jaisalmer) and Sorsan (Kota).
- Agencies: Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Rajasthan Forest Department.
- Chicks have been bred in captivity several times since 2019.
Concerns
- Leading cause of death: hitting high-voltage overhead power lines because the bird sees poorly straight ahead.
Exam angle
- Status trio: IUCN Critically Endangered, WPA Schedule I, CITES Appendix I.
- Stronghold: Desert National Park, Jaisalmer; centres at Sam and Sorsan.
- Indicator species for grasslands.