Why in News?
The Supreme Court‑linked GIB recovery plan and ongoing Project GIB (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change –Rajasthan– Wildlife Institute of India collaboration) keep the species in policy headlines, especially regarding undergrounding of power lines and renewable‑energy siting in Thar habitat.
Biological Profile
- Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps.
- Appearance: Tall with long legs and a long neck; resembles an ostrich. Males have a large black cap and a gular pouch used during mating displays.
- Weight: Can weigh up to 15 kg, making it one of the heaviest flying birds.
- Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on grass seeds, insects (like grasshoppers), beetles, and occasionally small rodents or reptiles.
Habitat & Distribution
- Ecosystem: Found in dry grasslands and scrublands (often called the "Flagship species of grassland ecology").
- Primary Range: Over 90% of the population is confined to the Desert National Park (DNP) in Rajasthan.
- Other States: Small, fragmented populations exist in Gujarat (Lala-Parjan sanctuary), Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
- CITES: Appendix I.
- Wildlife Protection Act (India): Schedule I (highest protection).
- Population: Estimated at fewer than 150 individuals globally.
Major Threats
- Overhead Power Lines: The biggest threat. GIBs have poor frontal vision and cannot see cables while flying, leading to fatal collisions.
- Habitat Loss: Conversion of grasslands into agricultural land or industrial zones (solar/wind farms).
- Predation: Feral dogs and crows often eat GIB eggs, which are laid directly on the ground.
- Slow Breeding: A female GIB lays only one egg per year.
Government & Legal Initiatives
- Project Great Indian Bustard: A Rajasthan state government initiative for habitat restoration and fencing.
- Conservation Breeding Centres: Facilities in Sam and Ramdevra (Rajasthan) are working on "egg-to-flight" reintroduction programs.
- Supreme Court Intervention: The court is monitoring the "undergrounding" of power lines in a 13,000 sq km area to create a safe flight corridor.
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