Great Indian Bustard
In one line: The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is a large grassland bird, Critically Endangered since 2011, now surviving mainly in Rajasthan with a small group in Gujarat's Kutch.
Range and numbers
Its range once included Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Estimates fell from under 250 birds in 2008 to about 150 in 2018. Key habitats are the Desert National Park near Jaisalmer and the Kutch Bustard Sanctuary at Naliya.
Why it is declining
Threats include hunting in the past, loss of grassland to farming and irrigation, and collisions with roads and power lines. Renewable energy projects have added many new lines in its range. Rajasthan started Project Great Indian Bustard in 2013, and conservation breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra have hatched chicks in captivity.
Why it is in the news
A Soft Release Centre for GIBs opened in Kutch on 14 September 2026.
Where to go next
- M.K. Ranjitsinh v Union of India
- Soft release and jump-start
Great Indian Bustard in the news
- Captive-bred Great Indian Bustards to be released into the wild for the first time 3 October 2026
Know the bird, its status and why it is so easily killed
- Environment Minister opens a soft release centre for Great Indian Bustards in Kutch 14 September 2026
The species, its range and why it is declining
Previous-year questions on this
- 2024 · GS3 · 10 marks What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details.
- 2020 · Prelims With reference to India's Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There is no human habitation inside the Park. 3. It is one of…