Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), Critically Endangered, Project Great Indian Bustard (Project GIB), Desert National Park, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, IUCN Red List, Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Habitat and Distribution, Ecological Significance, Threats to Survival, Conservation Efforts, Policy and Legal Framework, Role of Communities in Conservation
May 1, 2025
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The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is more than just India’s critically endangered bird—it's become a case study in environmental conservation, legal activism, and the complexities of balancing development with ecological responsibility. For UPSC aspirants, GIB questions feature frequently in Prelims, Mains, and even Interview scenarios. This guide covers static facts, recent developments, Supreme Court orders, and conservation efforts from a UPSC-centric lens.
State Bird of Rajasthan and an indicator species for grasslands.
One of the heaviest flying birds in the world (~15 kg).
Globally Critically Endangered; population in India: ~150-180 birds.
Regularly features in UPSC Prelims (environment) and GS Paper 3 (conservation and environmental governance).
Table of content
Originally spread across 11 Indian states, GIBs are now restricted to:
Rajasthan: Desert National Park (core habitat, breeding zone)
Gujarat: Kutch Bustard Sanctuary (Naliya)
Small scattered populations in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Preferred habitat: Arid and semi-arid grasslands with sparse vegetation and thorn scrub.
Authority | Status |
|---|---|
IUCN Red List | Critically Endangered |
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 | Schedule I (highest protection) |
CITES | Appendix I (international trade banned) |
CMS | Appendix I (migratory species) |
Power Line Collisions: Overhead wires cause ~15% mortality.
Habitat Loss: Agriculture expansion, infrastructure, and fencing.
Low Reproduction: One egg/year, 3-4 years to sexual maturity.
Poaching: Still reported near Indo-Pak border.
Predation: Eggs/chicks eaten by dogs, foxes.
Project Great Indian Bustard (Rajasthan)
Started in 2013 to identify core breeding sites, restrict activities, engage locals.
Species Recovery Programme
Under MoEFCC’s Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme.
Captive breeding centers in Sam and Ramdevra (Jaisalmer).
Supreme Court Orders (2021–2024)
Directed conversion of overhead lines to underground cables in priority habitats.
Ordered installation of bird diverters in regions with pending undergrounding.
In 2024, narrowed the underground mandate to 13,663 sq km priority area.
Formed an expert committee to suggest balance between conservation & renewables.
Species | IUCN Status | Region |
|---|---|---|
Great Indian Bustard | Critically Endangered | Rajasthan, Gujarat |
Lesser Florican | Critically Endangered | Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra |
Bengal Florican | Critically Endangered | Assam, UP, Bihar |
MacQueen’s Bustard | Vulnerable | Winter visitor (Rajasthan, Gujarat) |
Protected Area | Location | Role in GIB Conservation |
|---|---|---|
Desert National Park | Rajasthan | Breeding zone, core habitat |
Kutch Bustard Sanctuary | Gujarat | Smallest sanctuary (2 sq km) |
Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary | Andhra Pradesh | Historical GIB site |
First captive-born chick: March 2023 at Sam Breeding Centre.
~29 GIBs bred successfully under artificial hatching (as of early 2025).
Global tie-ups: Training at Abu Dhabi’s Avian Research Centre.
For UPSC aspirants:
Use PadhAI’s Current Affairs Digest to stay updated on court rulings, breeding news.
Access meaning-based PYQs on conservation and wildlife.
Practice quiz modules on endangered species for Prelims.
The story of the Great Indian Bustard is not just about a bird but about the deeper question: Can India protect its biodiversity while pursuing development? UPSC aspirants must not only remember facts but also engage with this species as a lens to understand environmental governance, federal policy, and citizen responsibility.
Keywords to revise: Great Indian Bustards, Great Indian Bustards UPSC, Bustards UPSC, Project GIB, Schedule I species, Desert National Park, Supreme Court bustard case, Species Recovery Programme.
This blog is UPSC-aligned and curated using conservation data, legal updates, and PYQ patterns. For real-time updates and daily Prelims tools, visit the PadhAI App.
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