Union Environment Minister Releases Two Male Great Indian Bustards into the Wild at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Union Environment Minister released two male Great Indian Bustards (GIB) into the wild at Sam in Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, marking a critical transition from conservation breeding to species rewilding.
- The Bustard Recovery Program is a joint initiative involving the MoEFCC, Rajasthan Forest Department, and Wildlife Institute of India (WII), supported by National CAMPA funds and technical collaboration from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation.
- The conservation breeding facilities at Sam and Ramdeora currently house 97 GIBs (40 from wild-collected eggs and 57 captive-raised), supported by habitat restoration measures including 200 sq km of fenced grassland enclosures.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Note key details of the Great Indian Bustard (IUCN: Critically Endangered), Desert National Park, National CAMPA funding, and WII telemetry studies.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the effectiveness of ex-situ conservation-breeding and rewilding protocols in saving critically endangered avian species from extinction.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the Bustard Recovery Program in India, consider the following statements: 1. It is a collaborative initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Rajasthan Forest Department, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). 2. The program utilizes technical collaboration from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation alongside funding from National CAMPA. 3. The recent release of captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIB) at Desert National Park marks a transition from conservation breeding to species rewilding. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
All three statements are correct. The Bustard Recovery Program is a joint initiative involving the MoEFCC, Rajasthan Forest Department, and WII. It is supported by technical collaboration with the International Fund for Houbara Conservation and receives financial support from National CAMPA funds. Releasing male Great Indian Bustards into Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, signifies a key transition from establishing a captive conservation breeding population to active species rewilding.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.