Great Indian Bustard Rewilding Begins in Rajasthan After 8-Year Conservation Push

Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday virtually inaugurated the Great Indian Bustard Aviary and Soft Release Centre at Ramdevra in Jaisalmer, formally launching the rewilding of captive-bred birds. The critically endangered species project, a collaboration between the Wildlife Institute of India and the International Houbara Conservation Fund since 2018, has achieved in eight years what similar programs globally take two to three decades.

An integrated reserve zone spanning 3,600 square kilometres has been created to prevent habitat fragmentation. Measures include checking land degradation, improving grassland management, and establishing dog-free zones to protect eggs from predators. Chicks are raised with minimal human intervention and exposed to natural conditions before release, enabling independent survival and foraging.

The "Jump Start" program, running 2022-2026, aims to establish a viable captive-bred population for eventual wild release. A similar conservation facility has been established at Naliya in Gujarat to support the initiative.