The Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

Source: Times of India

Context

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced that Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB) has successfully added three more chicks to its conservation breeding programme. The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is a large, terrestrial bird native to the Indian subcontinent and is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. Classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the species’ wild population is largely restricted to Rajasthan, particularly the Desert National Park near Jaisalmer. The leading cause of mortality is collision with high-voltage overhead power lines due to poor frontal vision.

What is the Great Indian Bustard?

• Scientific name: Ardeotis nigriceps.
• One of the heaviest flying birds in the world.
• Adult males: Weight up to 15-18 kg.
• Height: Nearly 1 metre tall.
• Flagship indicator species for grassland ecosystem health.

Habitat and Distribution

Primary Stronghold

• Rajasthan: Vast majority of wild population.
• Desert National Park near Jaisalmer: Main wild population.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I (highest legal protection in India).
• CITES: Appendix I (prohibits international commercial trade).
• Wild Population: Less than 150 individuals estimated globally.

Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

• Launched: 2013-14 as a Central scheme.
• Aim: Conservation breeding and habitat protection of GIB.
• Conservation breeding centres: Desert National Park (Sam, Jaisalmer) and Sorsan (Kota).
• Implementing agencies: Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Rajasthan Forest Department.
• Recent successes: Multiple chicks bred in captivity since 2019.

Practice MCQs

Q1. With reference to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), consider the following statements:

1. The scientific name is Ardeotis nigriceps.
2. It is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world.
3. The GIB is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
4. The GIB is a marine bird found mainly in the Indian Ocean.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the GIB is a terrestrial bird native to arid grasslands, NOT a marine bird.)

Q2. With reference to the conservation status and habitat of the GIB, consider the following statements:

1. The GIB is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
2. The GIB is listed under CITES Appendix I.
3. The Desert National Park in Jaisalmer is the primary stronghold.
4. The leading cause of mortality is collision with high-voltage overhead power lines.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

Q3. With reference to the threats facing the GIB, consider the following statements:

1. Power line collisions are the leading cause of mortality due to poor frontal vision.
2. Habitat loss due to grassland conversion to agriculture and infrastructure.
3. Predation of eggs by foxes, feral dogs, crows, and snakes.
4. The GIB has a very high reproductive rate that compensates for these losses.

Which of the above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four

(Statement 4 is wrong; the GIB has a LOW reproductive rate (1 egg per year), NOT high.)

Q4. With reference to conservation institutions for GIB, consider the following statements:

1. Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
2. WII was founded in 1982 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
3. The Supreme Court has ordered burial of power lines and installation of bird diverters in GIB habitats.
4. Project GIB was launched in 2013-14 as a Central scheme.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

Answer Key

1. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the GIB is a terrestrial bird.
2. (d), All four statements are correct.
3. (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the GIB has a low reproductive rate.
4. (d), All four statements are correct.