Interstate Green Corridor Aids Great Indian Bustard Conservation
Source:Indian Express ↗
Why It Matters
The Great Indian Bustard is a flagship species for India's grassland ecosystems and a recurring focus in UPSC prelims and mains. Innovative conservation logistics like inter-state 'green corridors' for eggs represent novel governance solutions to biodiversity crises.
Summary
In a significant boost to wildlife conservation, Gujarat witnessed the birth of a Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick after a 10-year gap. The achievement was made possible through an intricate inter-state operation, where a GIB egg was transported via a halt-free 770 km green corridor from Sam in Rajasthan (near the Desert National Park) to Gujarat. The Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered species facing severe population decline due to habitat loss and overhead power lines, relies heavily on focused ex-situ conservation and captive breeding programs. This event underscores the importance of inter-departmental synergy and rapid-response logistical corridors for sensitive ecological preservation.
Key Points
- A Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick was born in Gujarat after a decade, marking a major success in the conservation of this critically endangered bird.
- The egg was transported via a specially coordinated, halt-free 770 km 'green corridor' from Sam in Rajasthan to Gujarat.
- The Great Indian Bustard is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is heavily dependent on the arid grasslands of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- The successful transport and subsequent hatching highlight the critical role of inter-state coordination and ex-situ conservation initiatives (like captive breeding) in preventing the extinction of highly threatened species.
Important Terms
Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)
A large, terrestrial bird endemic to the Indian subcontinent, the Great Indian Bustard is a flagship species of grassland ecosystems and among the world's heaviest flying birds.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Environment). Key species for "Species Recovery Programs" and questions on grassland ecology and endemic fauna extinction risks.
IUCN Red List
A global inventory of the conservation status of biological species. The GIB is classified as "Critically Endangered," the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
UPSC context
GS Paper III. Essential for categorizing species' status in Prelims and evaluating international conservation priorities in Mains.
Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972
India's primary legislation for wildlife protection. The GIB is listed under Schedule I, providing it the highest level of legal protection and strict penalties for hunting.
UPSC context
GS Paper II & III. Fundamental for understanding India's legal-institutional framework for biodiversity and recent amendments (2022) affecting species schedules.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
An autonomous institution under the MoEFCC that provides technical expertise and coordinates research-led conservation projects, including the GIB captive breeding and rewilding programs.
UPSC context
GS Paper III. Key body for implementing species-specific recovery plans and technical wildlife management across states.
Jumpstart Approach
A conservation method where fertile eggs from captive breeding centers are placed in wild nests to be hatched and reared by wild foster parents, bridging ex-situ and in-situ efforts.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Biodiversity). A novel rewilding strategy for critically endangered species when natural breeding in the wild is no longer viable.
Desert National Park (DNP)
A protected area in Rajasthan (Jaisalmer/Barmer) that serves as the last natural stronghold and primary breeding ground for the remaining wild GIB population in India.
UPSC context
GS Paper I (Geography) and III (Environment). Significant for habitat-based conservation questions and protected area mapping.
Ex-situ Conservation
Conservation of species outside their natural habitats (e.g., captive breeding centers at Sam and Ramdevra). It acts as an insurance policy against extinction for species with unviable wild populations.
UPSC context
GS Paper III. A core biodiversity strategy tested when in-situ (natural habitat) measures like habitat protection alone are insufficient.
Prelims Trap
The Great Indian Bustard is found exclusively in the Desert National Park of Rajasthan.
While Rajasthan's Desert National Park holds the largest surviving population, small populations of the GIB are also found in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
Static Concepts Connected
What distinguishes Ex-situ from In-situ conservation strategies?
- Ex-situ Conservation: Protecting species outside their natural habitat, such as captive breeding centers, zoos, botanical gardens, and seed banks.
- In-situ Conservation: Protecting species within their natural ecosystems, such as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves.
What are the unique geographical and ecological features of Desert National Park?
- District Spread: It uniquely spans across two districts in the arid region of Rajasthan: Jaisalmer and Barmer.
- Indicator Species: It is the prime natural habitat for the GIB, which serves as an indicator species for the health of arid grassland ecosystems.
- Akal Wood Fossil: The park contains the Akal Wood Fossil Park with 180-million-year-old fossils, proving the region was once forested.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Green Energy vs. Avian Conservation
The push for solar and wind farms in Rajasthan creates a 'green vs green' conflict, as transmission lines cause fatal collisions for the heavy, low-vision GIB.
Logistical Synergy in Conservation
Using a halt-free 'green corridor'—traditionally reserved for human organ transport—for a wildlife egg marks a new operational frontier in cooperative inter-state ex-situ conservation.
Expect a 2026 multi-statement question combining GIB's IUCN status, 'blind spot' vulnerability to power lines, and DNP's district spread.
Linked PYQs · 2
Linked PYQs · 2
- 2020PrelimsGS1
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 the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 2012PrelimsGS1
Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?
