Great Indian Bustard Conservation Success: First Chick Born in Gujarat via 'Jumpstart' Method
Project GIB: A Breakthrough in Avian Conservation
In a historic achievement for wildlife conservation, a Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick was successfully hatched in the wild in Kutch, Gujarat, in early 2026. This marks the first time in over a decade that a GIB chick has been born in the state, achieved through a pioneering 'Jumpstart' conservation approach.
The Inter-State 'Jumpstart' Mission
The initiative involved a high-stakes logistics mission coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII):
- Trans-State Transport: A fertile GIB egg was carefully transported from Rajasthan to Gujarat in a portable incubator, covering a distance of 770 km.
- Foster Incubation: The egg was placed in the nest of a female GIB in the Kutch landscape, who successfully incubated and hatched the chick in its natural habitat.
Conservation Status
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 150 individuals remaining in the wild globally. This successful experiment opens a new chapter in using fertile egg translocation to revive dying populations in traditional habitats.
For TNPSC and Civil Services aspirants, this is a vital update under "Environment & Ecology," highlighting innovative species recovery programs in India.
