Rajasthan wildlife department to release captive-bred GIB chicks into natural wildlife habitats soon

JAISALMER: Rajasthan forest and environment state minister Sanjay Sharma has said that the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chicks born at the GIB Breeding Centres in Jaisalmer will soon be released into open wildlife habitats under natural environmental conditions. He stated that the chicks are being specially trained to survive and move freely in open natural surroundings.

The minister also clarified that eggs produced through artificial insemination at the Jaisalmer breeding centres will not be sent to any other states. “Conservation of the Great Indian Bustard is our highest priority,” he said.

The minister made these remarks during an interaction with The Times of India while attending the first official celebration of Godawan Day in Jaisalmer.

Replying to a question, Sharma said that during the state budget session last year, under the guidance of chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, the Rajasthan government had announced that May 21 would be officially celebrated every year as State Godawan Day. However, due to Operation Sindoor taking place during May last year, the first official celebration was organized this year. He added that the event will now be observed annually on May 21.

The minister informed that around 130 GIBs are currently roaming freely in the wildlife areas of Jaisalmer, while a total of 87 GIBs are housed at the two breeding centres located at Sudasari and Ramdevra.

He said the continuous efforts of the forest department and scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India are steadily increasing the population of the endangered bird, and even greater growth is expected in the coming years.

Rejecting the possibility of sending GIB eggs from the Jaisalmer breeding centres to other states, Sharma said no such decision has been taken and no eggs will be transferred anywhere. He revealed that when Rajasthan had earlier received tigers from Uttarakhand and Maharashtra, those states had requested GIB eggs in return, but Rajasthan declined the request in order to prioritize conservation.

Responding to questions regarding the release of captive-bred GIB chicks into the wild, the minister said the chicks are being gradually trained for life in natural habitats. As the chicks grow, scientists at the breeding centres, along with the mother birds, are helping them adapt to natural environmental conditions so that they can eventually survive independently in open wildlife areas.

Sharma also stated that many years ago, people from Arab countries hunted the Great Indian Bustard in the desert regions of Rajasthan. In addition, predators in wildlife areas preyed upon the birds and their eggs, pushing the species to the brink of extinction.

However, he said that due to the persistent efforts of the Rajasthan Forest Department and scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India, the GIB population is now steadily increasing. He personally witnessed two male and three female GIBs roaming freely in the Sudasari region during his visit.

The minister further said that under the leadership of chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, the Rajasthan government is continuously undertaking effective measures for the conservation and growth of the state bird, the GIB (Godawan). He emphasized that the breeding centres operated by the forest department are playing a crucial role in conservation efforts and are producing encouraging results.

According to Sharma, the increasing population and improved breeding success of the species reflect the effectiveness of these conservation initiatives. He directed officials to make GIB conservation activities even more effective and to pay special attention to the protection of natural habitats so that this rare bird can be preserved for future generations.