Great Indian Bustard in focus: Why is this flagship species relevant for UPSC Exam?
(Relevance: UPSC has previously asked questions on various species. Therefore, it is essential to keep a tab on species in the news, as their chances of being asked in the examination increase. The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is one such species that holds great significance. Hence, knowing its characteristics and conservation status becomes important.)
Giving relief to renewable energy companies from blanket restrictions on existing overhead power lines in habitats of the Great Indian Bustard, a Supreme Court appointed expert committee has proposed designated 'power corridors' for transmission lines in Gujarat and Rajasthan, The Indian Express has learnt. In this context, let's learn about the GIB and the expert committee's recommendations.
4. GIBs' historic range included much of the Indian sub-continent but it has now shrunken to just 10 per cent of it. Due to the species' smaller population size, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorised GIBs as critically endangered, thus on the brink of extinction from the wild.
♦ IUCN Red List status of Great Indian Bustard: Critically Endangered
♦ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
♦ Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS): Appendix I
♦ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix 1
The Great Indian Bustard is the state bird of Rajasthan. Notably, Rajasthan has the largest remaining population of the GIBs.
1. The first steps to address the decline of the bustard population were taken between 2012-2013, when the Rajasthan government as well as the Environment Ministry began a long-term Bustard and Lesser Florican recovery project. The recovery project firmed up more in the year 2016 when it received a funding outlay of Rs 33.85 crore for seven years. This money was sanctioned to improve the bird's habitat and start a conservation breeding program.
2. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund, which consists of money collected for afforestation in lieu of diversion of forests for non-forest uses, funded this project. Later, in July 2018, a tripartite agreement was signed between the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Rajasthan Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
3. This involved opening long-term conservation breeding centres (CBC) in Ramdevra and Sorsan, implementing field research projects such as telemetry-based bird tracking and population surveys, habitat management as well as outreach to local communities.
4. While the total length of the next phase of the GIB and Lesser Florican conservation is 2024-2033, the immediate next phase will run till 2029. The target of the project would be to complete the upgradation of the CBC at Ramdevra and development of the Lesser Florican CBC at Sorsan, both in Rajasthan. The Ramdevra facility would also include a new lab for artificial insemination, which the WII plans to use from 2026 onwards.
1. In March 2024, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud had recalled a 2021 Supreme Court order that required all power lines in GIB habitats to be buried underground, following concerns about the technical and economic feasibility of such a move. It then tasked the expert committee with prescribing measures to mitigate GIB deaths from power lines while balancing conservation goals with mushrooming renewable energy development in these two states.
2. The committee has revised the boundaries of GIB conservation zones. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, it has proposed a 'revised priority area' of 14,013 sq km (up from 13,163 sq km) and 740 sq km (up from 500 sq km), respectively. These priority areas are meant for focused conservation and protection of the GIB.
3. The corridors proposed by the seven-member committee will be 5 km wide in Rajasthan and between 1 and 2 km wide across two separate zones in Gujarat. One member of the committee, however, is learnt to have submitted a dissent note, raising objections to exempting several power lines from mitigation.
4. The committee has proposed a set of mitigation measures and restrictions based on zonal priorities:
* Existing power lines in Bustard habitats to be dealt with based on voltage.
* Immediate burying of certain lines identified by the Supreme Court in key GIB habitats.
* Lines of 220 kV and above be assessed individually for possible mitigation.
* No restrictions on laying new power lines outside the priority areas.
5. Among key conservation measures suggested is using the 'jump start' method to revive Gujarat's GIB population. This will involve using eggs in advanced stages from conservation breeding facilities in Rajasthan, which will be incubated by wild GIB females. Tagging of the remaining Gujarat GIBs has also been recommended.
1. After knowing the significance of conservation of GIB, it's important to note that today (July 28) marks World Nature Conservation Day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preserving and conserving natural resources and the environment. The day serves as a reminder of the need to protect and sustainably manage the Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity for the well-being of current and future generations.
2. This year, the theme for World Nature Conservation Day 2025 is 'Connecting People and Plants: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.'
With reference to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), consider the following statements:
1. It is a large bird found only in India.
2. It is known to be a key indicator species of the grassland habitat.
3. It is classified as vulnerable.
4. The population of GIB has steadily increased in the past four decades.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
(Sources: Exclusive: SC-named panel proposes 'power corridors' through Great Indian Bustard habitats, Critically endangered Great Indian Bustards' recovery program, and what lies ahead, The Great Indian Bustards of Kutch)
Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨
Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: roshni.yadav@indianexpress.com ... Read More
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Meet the bird that looks like a 'baby dragon', but is the most unique voice in the night sky
The Great Eared Nightjar, a bird resembling a 'baby dragon,' inhabits the dense forests of South and Southeast Asia. Its mottled plumage provides excellent camouflage, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the forest floor. While known for its eerie calls, this elusive bird also possesses a surprisingly melodic song, showcasing its diverse vocal abilities and adaptations for survival. N ature is full of paradoxes, as sometimes dangerous-looking beings are also gifted with skills and adaptations that go far beyond imagination, according to their appearances. One such mysterious creature remains hidden in the shadows of dense forests across South and Southeast Asia. Popularly known as the 'baby dragon' of the avian world, this nocturnal bird compels us to recall our interest in the mythical appearance of animals and birds. Despite this, this species remains virtually unseen during daylight hours because of its camouflage. Which bird is called the 'baby dragon' The Great Eared Nightjar, often called a 'baby dragon' due to its exceptional appearance, is the largest nightjar species in terms of length, measuring between 31 and 41 cm. With long ear tufts, a white throat band, and mottled brown, gray, and black feathers, it resembles a tiny dragon more than a typical bird. It is native to dense lowland and montane forests across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and due to its elusive nature, the secretive species lives in thick vegetation that conceals it during the day. The IUCN and experts consider it to be of Least Concern, indicating stable populations, though habitat loss remains a potential threat. What helps this bird in camouflaging? By day, the great eared nightjar remains motionless on the forest floor, blending easily into leaf litter and fallen twigs. Rather than constructing a nest, it lays a single egg directly on bare ground or in a shallow scrape, protecting its egg and chick through camouflage of its feathers. Both parents take turns incubating, and the hatchling remains immobile among the leaves until it can fly. Voice of the night The 'baby dragon's' call begins with a crisp, sharp 'tsiik,' followed by a pause and a haunting two-syllable whistle, 'ba‑haaww', which resonates through forests at dawn and dusk. But surprisingly, despite its eerie nickname and haunting nighttime calls, the great eared nightjar also sings in surprisingly sweet, melodic tones during certain moments, especially in calm twilight hours. Its vocal ability is supported by a highly adapted vocal organ called the syrinx, which helps it to produce a wide range of complex sounds. This helps the bird not only to communicate across dense forests but also to charm potential mates with softer, musical notes. While it's often remembered for its dragon-like look and ghostly calls, this unique bird can also be quite the gentle forest singer when it wants to be.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Kerala man killed in aircraft crash in Canada, second such death in July
An Indian national was among the two killed in a commercial survey plane crash in Canada's Newfoundland province, the Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed on Tuesday. The deceased Indian citizen, Gautam Santhosh, was a resident of men were aboard a Piper Navajo twin-engine plane which crashed last Saturday evening near the airport in Deer Lake, according to a report in CBC. It was a small aircraft that could carry a total of eight Consulate General in Toronto, in a post on X, said, "With deep sorrow, we mourn the tragic passing of Mr Gautam Santhosh, an Indian national, who lost his life in an accident involving a commercial survey aircraft near Deer Lake, Newfoundland." "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in close contact with the bereaved family and local authorities in Canada to provide all necessary assistance and support," it Consulate said it was in close contact with the bereaved family to provide all necessary Mission also tagged the post to the Chief Minister's Office of Kerala, High Commission of India in Ottawa, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).Earlier, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that the aircraft carried two individuals, both of whom were pronounced dead at the crash Saturday, July 26, at approximately 5.35 pm, Deer Lake RCMP responded to reports of a plane crash near the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH), near the Deer Lake Airport. The crash prompted the immediate closure of the TCH for several hours to allow emergency personnel – including Deer Lake Airport responders, emergency medical services, and Deer Lake Fire Rescue – to respond to the scene, RCMP Naysmith, owner and responsible executive of British Columbia-based Kisik Geospatial and Aerial Survey, the company that owns the plane, expressed grief over the loss of lives. Santhosh worked with the company."We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss," Naysmith said, CBC reported, citing his statement."Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the deceased and their loved ones," Naysmith said the company will provide support "in any and every way possible".Earlier in the month, an Indian student pilot, also from Kerala, died in a mid-air collision in Canada's Manitoba Lake Mayor Mike Goosney confirmed that the crash occurred outside the town."It's not every day, it's never, that you hear of a plane crash," Goosney told to the report, large clouds of smoke were seen near the crash site.- Ends
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Indian national killed in plane crash in Canada
An Indian national was killed after a small plane crashed near the airport in Newfoundland, Canada at around 5:30 pm local time on Saturday. The town, located in western Newfoundland, has a population of about 5,000. The Indian Consulate General in Toronto on Tuesday confirmed that Indian national Gautam Santhosh was killed in the crash. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in close contact with the bereaved family and local authorities in Canada to provide all necessary assistance and support,' the mission wrote on X. With deep sorrow, we mourn the tragic passing of Mr. Gautam Santhosh, an Indian national, who lost his life in an accident involving a commercial survey aircraft near Deer Lake, Newfoundland. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. The… — IndiainToronto (@IndiainToronto) July 28, 2025 Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also confirmed the fatal crash to a CBC reporter at the scene, where first responders were also present. The plane belonged to BC-based Kisik Geospatial and Aerial Survey. Its owner and accountable executive, Andrew Naysmith, confirmed the fatality in a statement. 'We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss,' he said, CBC reported. 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the deceased and their loved ones.' The aircraft was a Piper Navajo, a twin-engine plane that can carry up to eight passengers. It remains unclear how many people were on board at the time. Naysmith said the names of the deceased would be released by authorities and added that the company will support the investigation and the families 'in any and every way possible.' The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation.
