Published: 13 March 2026PIB / ANI / The PrintRajasthan
Project Great Indian Bustard: Two New Chicks Hatched at Jaisalmer Centre, Captive Population Reaches 70
AQuick answer
Two Great Indian Bustard chicks hatched at Jaisalmer's Sam breeding centre on March 10–12, 2026, taking the captive population to 70 in the programme's fourth year. One chick was born via artificial insemination, supporting sperm bank creation for the critically endangered species.
Key facts
Two Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chicks hatched at the Sam Conservation Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on March 10–12, 2026.
With these new hatchings, the captive GIB population under Project Great Indian Bustard reached 70 birds, marking the programme's fourth year of operation.
One of the two chicks was born via artificial insemination, a significant milestone supporting the creation of a sperm bank for the species.
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 150 individuals remaining in the wild, primarily in Rajasthan.
GIB is the state bird of Rajasthan and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The Supreme Court in 2021 ordered restrictions on overhead power lines in GIB habitat areas to reduce collision deaths, a major cause of wild population decline.
On March 10 and 12, 2026, two Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chicks hatched at the Conservation Breeding Centre in Sam, Jaisalmer — one through natural mating and the other through artificial insemination. This milestone marks the fourth year of Project Great Indian Bustard's captive breeding programme and takes the total captive population of the species to 70.
The programme is managed through a tripartite partnership between the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Rajasthan Forest Department, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), with technical support from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) in Abu Dhabi. Artificial insemination is enabling the creation of a sperm bank for the critically endangered species — listed on Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and in CITES Appendix I. The GIB's wild population has collapsed to fewer than 130 individuals, largely in Rajasthan's Thar Desert and parts of Gujarat. Officials confirmed that some captive-bred chicks will undergo soft-release into the wild to allow gradual adaptation. The Supreme Court had earlier ordered power transmission lines in GIB habitat to be undergrounded to reduce collision mortality.
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Mains angle
Q: Analyse the conservation strategy of Project Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan.
Answer (50 words):
Two Great Indian Bustard chicks hatched at Sam breeding centre, Jaisalmer, on March 10 and 12, 2026, one via artificial insemination, lifting captive population to 70. Managed by MoEFCC, Rajasthan Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India with IFHC Abu Dhabi support, programme protects a species whose wild population collapsed below 130.
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Linked questionMedium
Consider the following statements about Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Captive Breeding Programme:
1. The captive breeding centre is located at Sam, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.
2. In mid-March 2026, two new chicks took the total captive GIB population in India's two breeding centres to 70.
3. The Great Indian Bustard is listed under CITES Appendix II.
4. The programme receives technical support from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC).
Which of the above statements are CORRECT?
Explanation · Correct answer A
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Government sources record the Sam, Jaisalmer captive breeding facility and technical assistance from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation. In mid-March 2026, two chicks at the Jaisalmer centre took the captive population in India's two breeding centres to 70. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Great Indian Bustard is listed in CITES Appendix I, not Appendix II; it is also protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
What is the IUCN conservation status of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB)?
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Fewer than 150 individuals remain in the wild, primarily in Rajasthan, making it one of the most threatened bird species in India.
What is the significance of the artificial insemination technique used in Project Great Indian Bustard?
One of the two chicks hatched in March 2026 was born via artificial insemination, marking a significant milestone. This technique supports the creation of a sperm bank for the species, which is critical for long-term genetic conservation of the Critically Endangered GIB.
Under which schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is the Great Indian Bustard protected?
The Great Indian Bustard is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of legal protection to wildlife species in India, prohibiting their hunting, poaching, and trade.
Where is the captive breeding centre for the Great Indian Bustard located, and what is the current captive population?
The Sam Conservation Breeding Centre for the Great Indian Bustard is located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. With two new chicks hatched in March 2026, the captive population under Project Great Indian Bustard reached 70 birds in the programme's fourth year of operation.
What did the Supreme Court order in 2021 regarding Great Indian Bustard conservation?
In 2021, the Supreme Court of India ordered restrictions on overhead power lines in GIB habitat areas to reduce collision deaths, which is one of the major causes of wild population decline for the species.
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