Jaisalmer: In a significant recognition of ongoing wildlife conservation efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the revival of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer region, where the population under scientific protection has now increased to 82 birds. The development has been described as an encouraging milestone in the long struggle to save one of India’s rarest and most iconic bird species, locally known as the Godawan.
The Prime Minister highlighted the progress during his recent “Mann Ki Baat” address, noting that sustained scientific intervention, grassroots conservation efforts, and dedicated fieldwork have begun to show visible results. He said the bird, once widely seen across desert landscapes, had reached a point where its survival was under serious threat, but coordinated conservation efforts are now helping it recover gradually.
Breeding Centres Drive Population Recovery
According to conservation officials, the increase in population has been made possible through structured efforts at dedicated breeding facilities in Jaisalmer, especially at Sudasari and Ramdevra conservation centres. These centres have played a crucial role in protecting eggs and improving chick survival rates through artificial incubation, assisted breeding techniques, and controlled habitat management.
Officials confirmed that the current count of 82 birds includes individuals born through natural breeding, captive incubation, and scientific intervention methods, making it one of the most closely monitored wildlife conservation programmes in the country. Of the total population, a large number have been successfully raised under controlled conditions with continuous monitoring by forest and wildlife experts.
The Desert National Park region has emerged as the key habitat for the species, with over 70% of the global remaining population believed to be concentrated in and around Jaisalmer, making the region extremely critical for conservation efforts.
Scientific Monitoring and Technology Support
Forest department officials have credited the success to round-the-clock monitoring, strict protection of nesting areas, and the use of modern technologies including AI-based tracking systems. Field teams have been deployed continuously to safeguard breeding sites, especially during the vulnerable nesting season when disturbance can severely impact survival rates.
Experts associated with the programme said that each breeding pair is carefully tracked, and successful hatching events are treated as major conservation milestones. The combination of technology-driven monitoring and on-ground protection has significantly improved outcomes compared to earlier years.
Officials also noted that the breeding programme is being supported by coordinated efforts from the Rajasthan Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and central conservation agencies, ensuring a structured and science-based approach to species recovery.
Hope Amid Continued Challenges
Despite the encouraging rise in numbers, wildlife experts caution that the Great Indian Bustard remains critically endangered, with ongoing threats such as habitat fragmentation, power line collisions, and rapid infrastructure expansion continuing to endanger its survival.
Conservationists have repeatedly stressed the need for long-term solutions such as underground cabling in sensitive habitats, expansion of protected grassland zones, and stricter regulation of development activities in desert ecosystems.
Still, the increase to 82 birds under conservation management is being seen as a positive sign and a turning point in India’s efforts to save the species from extinction. Experts believe that continued scientific intervention, government support, and community participation will be essential to ensure sustained recovery.
As Jaisalmer continues to serve as the last stronghold of the Great Indian Bustard, the latest progress has renewed hope that with consistent effort, this iconic desert bird can be brought back from the brink of extinction.
