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First Rewilding Release of Great Indian Bustards in Rajasthan’s Desert National Park
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First Rewilding Release in Desert National Park
On October 3, 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released two captive-bred male Great Indian Bustards into an enclosure at the Desert National Park (DNP) in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The birds were transferred from the breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra and fitted with satellite tags before being set free. The event marks the start of the “rewilding” phase of Project GIB, a decade-long effort to restore the species to its desert habitat.
Background & Context
The Great Indian Bustard (*Ardeotis nigriceps*) once ranged from Punjab to Tamil Nadu but now survives in fragmented pockets of the Thar Desert. Estimates of the wild population range from “fewer than 150” to “about 150.” Habitat loss, illegal hunting and collisions with power lines have driven the decline. In 2021 the Supreme Court barred new overhead lines across 99,000 sq km of bustard habitat; the restriction was later reduced to roughly 14,000 sq km, allowing underground cabling in many areas.
Data & Statistics
- Captive-breeding facilities at Sam and Ramdevra house 97 birds.
- 86 birds are maintained for captive reproduction; 11 are earmarked for release.
- Live-chick output: 24 in 2025 and 29 in 2026.
- Power-line collisions have killed at least 10 bustards since 2017.
Official Statements & Responses
The Ministry noted that the birds will be closely monitored for movement, behaviour, feeding patterns and survival. Rajasthan’s Forest and Environment Minister Sanjay Sharma attended the ceremony and highlighted the need for “landscape-level habitat restoration.” Wildlife Institute of India director Gobind Sagar Bhardwaj said ex-situ breeding is an insurance measure alongside in-situ work, and that the “jump-start” method—placing captive-laid eggs in wild nests—has already yielded chicks in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact size of the remaining wild population: Hindustan Times cites “fewer than 150,” Indian Express reports “about 150,” and ThePrint mentions “120-150.” No source provides a definitive, up-to-date census, leaving the baseline for measuring recovery uncertain. Post-release survival rates for this cohort are not publicly known; existing estimates for captive-bred bustard survival in the wild range from 10-30 % per year.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In a milestone move, released two male Great Indian Bustards in Sam, Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, today morning. This landmark success has been made possible by the nearly decade-long unwavering dedication of our scientists, researchers and ground staff who have spent years to ensure GIB reclaims the deserts of Rajasthan,” — Bhupender Yadav
- “The real test is not just producing birds in captivity. That is easier than making them survive in the wild. There is a need to create a landscape where bustards can survive after release and flourish. Improving the habitat and putting all transmission lines below the ground would be key to revive the bustard population in the longer run,” — Sumer Singh Bhati
What’s Next
The Ministry indicated that the pilot’s outcomes will inform decisions on scaling up releases, potentially extending to additional sites in Rajasthan’s DNP and later to Gujarat’s Kutch region. Monitoring will continue through satellite telemetry and field observations, with data expected to shape habitat-restoration priorities, including undergrounding of power lines and expansion of grassland protection.