Current Affairs

Sign in
GeographyGS3
GS3

GIB Rewilding Programme Paused After Predator Incident

Source:newindianexpress ↗

Why It Matters

Important for RPSC RAS aspirants tracking state-specific environmental conservation initiatives, endangered species protection, and wildlife management challenges in Rajasthan.

Summary

A captive-bred Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick, released as part of Rajasthan's ambitious rewilding programme, was tragically killed by a fox just days later, leading to a temporary suspension of the release initiative to review safety protocols.

Key Points

  • A recently released Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick was killed by a fox days after being let into the wild in Rajasthan.
  • The incident has prompted authorities to temporarily put the state's GIB rewilding and release programme on hold.
  • The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is critically endangered and is Rajasthan's state bird, facing severe threats from habitat loss, power lines, and predators.

Important Terms

Great Indian Bustard Rewilding Programme

An ambitious conservation initiative aimed at reintroducing captive-bred Great Indian Bustards into their natural desert habitat in Rajasthan to revive dwindling wild populations.

UPSC context

Important for RPSC Paper III (Environment & Biodiversity), testing knowledge of species conservation projects, state wildlife initiatives, and setbacks in reintroduction.

Source
Wildlife Protection Act

A vital Indian legislative framework enacted in 1972 that provides stringent legal protection to endangered species, placing the Great Indian Bustard under Schedule I.

UPSC context

Essential for RPSC polity and environment sections, testing legal statuses of endangered fauna and anti-poaching measures in Rajasthan.

Source
Rajasthan Forest Department

The state government body responsible for managing forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and endangered species conservation projects such as the GIB breeding and rewilding initiative in Rajasthan.

UPSC context

Relevant for RPSC Rajasthan administration and ecology questions, examining the institutional role in state-level wildlife management and protection protocols.

Source

Prelims Trap

Desert National Park in Rajasthan contains no fossil parks and is solely a sand dune ecosystem.

Aspirants often assume Desert National Park is exclusively a desert landscape without fossil evidence, or confuse the GIB's protection status under WPA.

Static Concepts Connected

Rajasthan Geography and Biodiversity Conservation

What are the key conservation sanctuaries and statutory status of the Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan?

  • State Bird: Designated as the state bird of Rajasthan, symbolizing the fragile arid ecosystem of the Thar desert.
  • Protection Status: Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and categorized as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
  • Core Habitat: Desert National Park located in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts is the primary stronghold for the species in India.
  • Major Threats: Collisions with high-voltage overhead transmission lines and habitat degradation due to agricultural expansion and invasive species.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • GIB Conservation vs Renewable Energy Infrastructure

    GIB conservation intersects with power transmission issues; Supreme Court directives on undergrounding high-voltage lines in Rajasthan overlap with energy infrastructure debates.

  • Rewilding Species and Dryland Ecology Management

    Captive breeding and rewilding trials for critically endangered species like GIB and Cheetah test India's dryland ecosystem management capacities.

GIB conservation status, protected habitats like Desert National Park, and power line collision threats are prime RPSC Prelims targets.

Linked PYQs · 4

Linked PYQs · 4

  • 2023RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    The National Tiger Conservation Authority has conferred the status of the fifth tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan, to which of the following sanctuaries?

  • 2024RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Select the most correct statement regarding the Rajasthan State Biological Park (Phase-II): A. It covers 9 districts and is an initiative of the Rajasthan State Biodiversity Authority (RSBA). B. Achada, Merta and Machala Biological Park have been included in phase-II. C. In phase-II, Bio-Diversity Council, Water Conservation has also been incorporated in its list.

  • 2025RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which of the following pairings is incorrect? Protected Area (as of May 2023) – District

  • 2024RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which of the following Conservation Reserve (as on May 2023) – district pairs is not correctly matched?