Ten captive-bred Great Indian Bustards to be released in Jaisalmer this weekend

Under the Integrated Great Indian Bustard Conservation Project, ten captive-bred individuals are scheduled for release in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on October 3 and 4. The first group will go to Ramdevra, followed by a second group at Sudasari within the Desert National Park, with Union environment, forest and climate change minister Bhupender Yadav expected to witness the event. The birds spent months in a specially built tunnel that prepared them for wild conditions while keeping human contact minimal.

Wildlife Institute of India scientists will conduct post-release tracking to assess habitat use, behaviour and survival. The plan, revised from an earlier proposal to release the birds in Gujarat’s Kutch region, follows Supreme Court guidelines covering a 14,013 sq km priority area. Officials view the release as a pivotal step toward restoring the critically endangered species and protecting the Thar Desert’s grassland ecosystem.