The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has begun releasing captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIB) into the wild at Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma initiated the process on 3 October 2026, marking the transition from building a viable captive population to restoring the species in its natural habitat. The release represents the culmination of a decade-long conservation effort involving federal and state governments, scientists and local communities.
Key facts
- Two captive-bred GIBs released from soft-release facility into an enclosure at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
- Rewilding Aviary at Ramdevra measures 160 m × 64 m × 14 m and cost Rs 9.25 crore
- Conservation breeding facilities at Sam and Ramdevra currently house 97 birds: 40 from wild-laid eggs, 57 bred in captivity
- 86 birds designated for captive reproduction; 11 earmarked for release into wild
- 24 live chicks hatched in 2025; 29 hatched in 2026
- 6 chicks in Rajasthan and 2 chicks in Gujarat bred using novel ‘jumpstart’ approach, where captive-laid eggs placed in wild nests
- Approximately 200 sq km of fenced grassland enclosures established inside Desert National Park as breeding habitat
- Project partners: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Rajasthan Forest Department; Wildlife Institute of India (WII); International Fund for Houbara Conservation
What the Great Indian Bustard recovery programme aims to do
The GIB is the state bird of Rajasthan and is critically endangered. The recovery programme, guided by a Supreme Court of India judgment and recommendations from an expert committee, combines multiple approaches. It includes conservation breeding of captive birds, scientifically managed habitat restoration, threat mitigation, and engagement with local communities. The programme rests on the idea that a viable captive population must first be established before birds can be safely released back to nature.
How the captive breeding has progressed
The conservation breeding facilities at Sam and Ramdevra have grown a population from eggs and wild-caught birds. Of the 97 birds currently housed there, 40 originated from eggs collected in the wild, while 57 have been produced through captive breeding. In 2025 and 2026, the facilities achieved a combined 53 live chicks, demonstrating that captive breeding can sustain population growth.
A significant innovation has been the ‘jumpstart’ approach, which places captive-laid eggs in active wild nests. Female birds in the wild have accepted and incubated these eggs, resulting in 6 chicks hatched in Rajasthan and 2 in Gujarat. This method accelerates species recovery while leveraging wild parental care.
The role of habitat restoration
Captive breeding alone is insufficient. The Rajasthan Forest Department has established approximately 200 sq km of fenced grassland enclosures inside Desert National Park, based on long-term telemetry studies by the Wildlife Institute of India. These enclosures serve as prime breeding habitats where released birds can establish themselves and reproduce naturally.
The new Rewilding Aviary
A critical facility inaugurated during this event is the Rewilding Aviary at Ramdevra. Constructed by the Rajasthan State Road Development and Construction Corporation Ltd., the facility measures 160 metres by 64 metres by 14 metres and has no interior pillars, providing unobstructed flight space. Captive-bred birds can develop flight muscles, adapt to natural conditions and display natural behaviour in this large enclosure before their eventual release. The Rajasthan government funded it with Rs 9.25 crore.
Why this release matters
The release of two captive-bred GIBs marks India’s shift from population establishment to active rewilding. The exercise has been conducted in a carefully controlled manner with minimal human presence to reduce disturbance to the birds. Scientists will study how released birds adapt to the wild, using these learnings to refine protocols for future releases and ensure their success.
Economic and ecological benefits
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav noted that the programme will generate economic benefits for local communities through eco-tourism opportunities. Ecologically, the GIB serves as an umbrella species for the Thar ecosystem, meaning its conservation protects the entire grassland habitat and associated wildlife. The species also plays a role in grassland conservation, land degradation neutrality and functions as an important stopover for migratory birds using central Asian flyways.
What happens next
The release of the two birds was scheduled to occur on 4 October 2026. Findings from this pilot release will guide the design of subsequent reintroductions, with 11 birds currently earmarked for eventual release into the wild.