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Great Indian Bustard Chick Hatches in Kutch After Decade-Long Wait

A Great Indian Bustard chick has successfully hatched in the Abdasa region of Kutch, Gujarat, for the first time in a decade. This achievement was made possible through a collaborative 'Jumpstart Approach,' where a fertile egg was transported from Rajasthan and swapped with an infertile one in a wild nest. The effort involved the forest departments of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Union Environment Ministry, and the Wildlife Institute of India. The successful hatching is seen as a major milestone for Project GIB and India's broader wildlife conservation goals.

Key Points: Great Indian Bustard Chick Born in Gujarat After 10 Years

  • First GIB chick in Kutch after 10 years
  • Used 'Jumpstart Approach' conservation method
  • Fertile egg transported from Rajasthan
  • Chick hatched after natural incubation
  • Strengthens India's wildlife commitment
2 min read

Great Indian Bustard chick born in Kutch after 10 years

A Great Indian Bustard chick hatches in Kutch using a 'Jumpstart Approach,' marking a major conservation win for Gujarat and Rajasthan.

"a significant milestone has been achieved in wildlife conservation - Arjun Modhwadia"

Gandhinagar, March 29

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia stated that, through the combined efforts of the Forest Departments of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Union Ministry of Environment, and the Wildlife Institute of India, a significant milestone has been achieved in wildlife conservation.

The birth of a Great Indian Bustard ('Ghorad') chick in the Abdasa rgion of Kutch after a decade marked a proud moment for all.

Providing further details, the Forest Minister stated that the Gujarat Forest Department has achieved a significant milestone in wildlife conservation under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. He lauded the efforts of the Wildlife Division officers and congratulated all those involved in making the campaign a success.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav also commended the joint efforts of the Environment Ministry, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) by sharing his appreciation on X.

Forest Minister Modhwadia further stated that this achievement was made possible through the use of an advanced conservation method known as the 'Jumpstart Approach'.

In line with the vision presented in 2011 by the then Chief Minister of Gujarat and current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for conserving the natural habitat of the Ghorad bird, 'Project GIB' was launched in 2016. The number of birds at the breeding centres established at Sam and Ramdevara in Rajasthan has now increased to 73.

With the absence of male birds in the Ghorad population in Kutch, female birds were laying eggs that remained infertile. To overcome this challenge, a targeted conservation initiative was launched.

A fertile egg of the Great Indian Bustard was collected from a breeding centre in Rajasthan and safely transported to Kutch through a continuous 19-hour road journey in a portable incubator.

On 22 March, the infertile egg in the nest of a female Ghorad in Kutch was replaced with the fertile egg. The female bird incubated the egg naturally, and on 26 March, a healthy chick was born.

At present, the field monitoring team is continuously observing the female Ghorad and its chick. The Minister added that this marks a proud moment for scientists, forest department officials, and wildlife enthusiasts, further strengthening India's commitment to wildlife conservation and ecological preservation.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
A proud moment indeed. The 'Jumpstart Approach' sounds like a brilliant piece of scientific intervention. It's good to see Gujarat and Rajasthan working together. Conservation needs such cross-border cooperation, beyond politics.
R
Rohit P
While this is a great achievement, we must ask why the male population disappeared in Kutch in the first place. Was it habitat loss, power lines, or something else? Preventing the problem is better than these heroic rescue efforts.
M
Meera T
The Ghorad is such a majestic bird, a symbol of our grasslands. My grandfather used to talk about seeing them in Rajasthan. So happy to hear their numbers are going up at the breeding centres. Jai Hind!
D
David E
As a wildlife photographer who has visited Kutch, this news is fantastic. The Great Indian Bustard is critically endangered. This kind of innovative, hands-on conservation gives real hope. Kudos to all the scientists and officers on the ground.
S
Siddharth J
Project GIB launched in 2016 is showing results. Long-term vision is key in conservation. Hope this success story is replicated for other endangered species. Our biodiversity is our real wealth.

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