Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world and a critically endangered species native to the Indian subcontinent. Once widespread across the grasslands of India and parts of Pakistan, its population has declined drastically over the past few decades due to habitat loss, hunting, and infrastructural development. The species holds immense ecological, cultural, and conservation significance in India and is now primarily restricted to a few pockets in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Taxonomy and Physical Characteristics

The Great Indian Bustard belongs to the family Otididae, which includes large terrestrial birds adapted to open country. Scientifically classified under the genus Ardeotis, it is closely related to other bustard species found in Africa and Eurasia.
Adult males are significantly larger than females, standing about one metre tall and weighing between 10–15 kilograms, while females typically weigh 4–6 kilograms. The species has a long neck, sturdy legs, and a distinctive black crown on the head contrasting with the pale neck and underparts. Its body plumage is buff-coloured with fine black markings. During the breeding season, males develop a well-inflated gular pouch which helps in producing a deep, resonant booming call to attract females.

Distribution and Habitat

Historically, the Great Indian Bustard inhabited large tracts of dry grasslands and scrublands across India, stretching from Punjab and Haryana in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south, and from Gujarat and Rajasthan in the west to Madhya Pradesh and Odisha in the east. Today, its range has shrunk drastically, with over 90% of the remaining population confined to the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan, particularly within the Desert National Park.
Other small populations have been reported from the Kutch region of Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra (Solapur region), and Andhra Pradesh (Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary). The bird prefers open landscapes with sparse vegetation, avoiding dense forests and agricultural areas, as it relies on visibility to detect predators.

Ecology and Behaviour

The Great Indian Bustard is primarily omnivorous, feeding on a mixture of seeds, grass shoots, insects, small reptiles, and rodents. Its diet varies seasonally—during the monsoon, it consumes a higher proportion of insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, while in dry months, it turns to plant material and seeds.
The bird is largely ground-dwelling, preferring to walk or run rather than fly, except when threatened. It nests on the ground, typically in a shallow scrape lined with grass, where the female lays one or occasionally two eggs. Males do not participate in incubation or chick rearing. The nesting season usually coincides with the monsoon (June to September), providing adequate cover and food availability.

Population Status and Threats

The Great Indian Bustard is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. As of recent estimates, fewer than 150 individuals remain in the wild, making it one of the most threatened bird species globally.
Major threats include:

• Habitat loss and degradation due to conversion of grasslands into agricultural fields, industrial areas, and human settlements.
• Collisions with overhead power lines, which are responsible for numerous deaths annually as the bird’s heavy flight and poor frontal vision make it prone to striking wires.
• Poaching and egg collection, though now rare, historically reduced populations.
• Disturbance from livestock grazing and human activity, which affects breeding success.
• Predation by feral dogs and other animals, particularly on eggs and chicks.

Conservation Efforts

Recognising its precarious status, the Great Indian Bustard has been accorded the highest protection under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES, prohibiting international trade.
Key conservation initiatives include:

• Project Great Indian Bustard, launched by the Government of India and implemented by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), focusing on habitat protection, breeding, and awareness.
• Captive breeding programme at the Desert National Park in Rajasthan, which successfully hatched chicks in controlled environments, marking an important milestone in ex-situ conservation.
• Installation of underground power lines and bird diverters in critical habitats to prevent electrocution.
• Community participation schemes, encouraging local pastoral communities to adopt bustard-friendly grazing and land-use practices.

State governments of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have also established bustard conservation reserves and implemented habitat restoration programmes through grassland management and control of invasive plant species.

Ecological and Cultural Significance

The Great Indian Bustard is an indicator species for the health of arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Its decline reflects the degradation of India’s grasslands, which are often misclassified as ‘wastelands’ despite their biodiversity value. Conserving the bustard indirectly supports other species such as the Indian wolf, blackbuck, and lesser florican that share similar habitats.
Culturally, the bird holds symbolic importance in Rajasthan, where it is known as “Godawan”, and is recognised as the state bird. Its image has become an emblem of conservation campaigns highlighting the urgency of protecting India’s vanishing grasslands.

Future Prospects

Despite conservation initiatives, the recovery of the Great Indian Bustard remains uncertain due to its small and fragmented populations. Long-term survival depends on the effective integration of in-situ and ex-situ strategies, reduction of mortality from power lines, and restoration of viable grassland ecosystems.