Bhupender Yadav inaugurates Great Indian Bustard Soft Release Centre at Naliya in Kachchh
On 14 September 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav visited the Great Indian Bustard habitat at Naliya in Gujarat's Kachchh district, inaugurated a GIB Soft Release Centre and the Sayara Van Kavach, and reviewed mangrove work at Jakhau.
Summary
The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Soft Release Centre at Naliya in Kachchh was inaugurated by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav during a review of conservation work with the Gujarat Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). He was told that about 11 sq km of grassland had been cleared of the invasive Prosopis juliflora and 30 km of predator-proof fencing raised over 15 sq km. Under a 'jump-start' intervention, infertile eggs laid by wild GIB females were replaced with viable eggs from the conservation breeding programme, and the chick from the second attempt has survived past the critical first three months in the wild. Yadav also flagged off 33 patrolling and rescue vehicles, inaugurated the 9.46 sq km Sayara Van Kavach planted by the Miyawaki method with over 10,000 saplings of 47 native species, and met MISHTI beneficiaries at Jakhau. The GIB is listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 14 Sep 2026 — Naliya, Kachchh (Gujarat)
- Inaugurated
- GIB Soft Release Centre; Sayara Van Kavach
- Jump-start
- Wild GIB's infertile eggs swapped with viable captive-bred eggs; 2nd chick survived 3+ months
- Habitat work
- ~11 sq km cleared of Prosopis juliflora; 30 km predator-proof fence over 15 sq km
- Van Kavach
- 9.46 sq km Miyawaki forest; 10,000+ saplings, 47 native species
- Legal status
- GIB in Schedule I, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Where did Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurate a Great Indian Bustard Soft Release Centre on 14 September 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Naliya, Kachchh
The GIB Soft Release Centre was inaugurated at Naliya in Kachchh district, Gujarat.
What is the 'jump-start' intervention used for Great Indian Bustards in Kachchh?
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Correct answer: B — Replacing infertile eggs of wild females with viable eggs from conservation breeding
Infertile eggs laid by wild GIB females were replaced with viable eggs from the conservation breeding programme.
The Sayara Van Kavach inaugurated in Kachchh on 14 September 2026 was developed using which method?
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Correct answer: A — Miyawaki method
The 9.46 sq km Sayara Van Kavach follows the Miyawaki method of dense, multi-layered afforestation.
Consider the following about the Great Indian Bustard: 1. It is listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. Habitat work in Kachchh includes removing the invasive Prosopis juliflora from grasslands. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The GIB is in Schedule I of the 1972 Act, giving it the highest legal protection, and about 11 sq km of Kachchh grassland has been cleared of Prosopis juliflora.