Process begins to release captive-bred Great Indian Bustards into the wild at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
On 3 October 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma initiated the release of two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, planned for the next day.
Summary
During Wildlife Week 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma (through video conference) took part in initiating the release of two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIB) from a soft-release facility into the wild at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer; the release itself was set for the following day. They also inaugurated a new Rewilding Aviary at Ramdevra. The GIB is the critically endangered State bird of Rajasthan, and the release marks a shift from conservation breeding towards rewilding. The facilities at Sam and Ramdevra currently house 97 birds.
Key facts
- Species
- Great Indian Bustard (critically endangered; State bird of Rajasthan)
- Release site
- Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
- Birds to be released
- Two captive-bred GIBs (release planned for the next day)
- New facility
- Rewilding Aviary at Ramdevra (160 m x 64 m x 14 m; Rs 9.25 crore)
- Captive population
- 97 birds at Sam and Ramdevra
- Partners
- MoEFCC, Rajasthan Forest Department, WII; funding from National CAMPA
Background
- Rewilding Aviary at Ramdevra: 160 m x 64 m x 14 m, built by the Rajasthan Forest Department with a sanctioned budget of Rs 9.25 crore.
- The 97 birds include 40 from wild-laid eggs and 57 bred in captivity; 86 are kept for breeding and 11 are earmarked for release.
- Captive reproduction produced 24 live chicks in 2025 and 29 in 2026.
- The Bustard Recovery Programme is a collaboration of MoEFCC, Rajasthan Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India (WII), with technical collaboration from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation and funding from National CAMPA.
Practice MCQs 5 questions
The Great Indian Bustard, for which a rewilding process began on 3 October 2026, is the State bird of which state?
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Correct answer: C — Rajasthan
Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards were to be released into the wild at which protected area?
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Correct answer: A — Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
The newly developed Rewilding Aviary (160 m x 64 m x 14 m) for Great Indian Bustards is located at:
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Correct answer: D — Ramdevra
How many Great Indian Bustards are currently housed at the Sam and Ramdevra conservation-breeding facilities?
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Correct answer: B — 97
Which institution collaborates with MoEFCC and the Rajasthan Forest Department in the Bustard Recovery Programme?
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Correct answer: A — Wildlife Institute of India