Latest news with #Godawan
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
New strategy to allow GIBs to hatch and grow in the wild
Wildlife officials in Rajasthan have launched a new strategy to allow the Great Indian Bustard (Godawan) to hatch and grow in the wild, moving away from the practice of captive breeding at the Desert National Park (DNP) centre. The GIB population has plummeted to fewer than 200 individuals in the wild, primarily concentrated in Rajasthan's Desert National Park and parts of Gujarat. (HT PHOTO) The aim is to preserve the bird's natural behaviour and increase its chances of survival in its native habitat. Previously, Godawan eggs were routinely collected from enclosures and incubated at the breeding centre, with chicks raised in captivity. According to the new approach, eggs laid in the wild are now temporarily collected for protection, then returned to their original nests shortly before hatching. The initiative has been taken following the Wildlife Institute of India's recommendation, which has allowed to use five eggs annually for the purpose. Brijmohan Gupta, deputy conservator at Divisional Forest Office (DFO), DNP confirmed the development. According to the officials, as part of this delicate process, when a Godawan lays an egg in the open desert, wildlife teams discreetly replace it with a gypsum-made dummy egg—identical in weight and appearance. The real egg is transported to the breeding centre, where it is incubated under controlled conditions to protect it from predators and environmental threats. Once the egg nears the hatching stage, it is carefully returned to the same wild nest, and the dummy egg is removed. This allows the chick to hatch in its natural surroundings and be raised by its mother—never entering captivity. This time-sensitive approach ensures the mother bird continues to incubate the nest without disruption. Since the dummy egg maintains the illusion of an undisturbed nest, the bird remains unaware of the switch. Upon return of the real egg, the natural rearing process resumes seamlessly, one of the officials quoted above said. The DNP team, in collaboration with scientists at the breeding centre, initiated this new protocol with two eggs collected from the Ramdevra region. Both are currently undergoing incubation. Once ready, the eggs will be reintroduced to their natural nests to allow hatching in the wild. Officials said that earlier attempts to hatch and rear chicks solely in captivity often disrupted natural behavioural patterns. In many cases, mother birds distanced themselves from males after realising the egg was missing or damaged. The new method seeks to maintain continuity in nesting behaviour and avoid distress to the female. 'This is a sensitive and science-backed intervention. By temporarily securing the eggs and placing dummies in the field, we are protecting the offspring without altering the mother's natural instincts,' said Gupta. Meanwhile experts highlight that this method offers the safety of controlled incubation while preserving the vital instincts associated with wild upbringing. It represents a major evolution in Godawan conservation, blending scientific care with ecological sensitivity. Standing about a meter tall and weighing between 8-15 kg, the Great Indian Bustard is Rajasthan's state bird and one of the heaviest flying birds globally. The species once roamed widely across the Indian subcontinent's grasslands but today, the Ardeotis nigriceps population has plummeted to fewer than 200 individuals in the wild, primarily concentrated in Rajasthan's Desert National Park and parts of Gujarat, with smaller isolated populations struggling in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Forest dept starts egg replacement pilot to boost GIB conservation
Jaisalmer: In a bid to conserve the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), locally known as Godawan, scientists in Jaisalmer have launched a pilot egg replacement experiment. Conducted by the forest department at Desert National Park, the project involves replacing wild eggs with dummy ones and relocating the real eggs for artificial incubation. Two eggs were initially collected from nests in the Desert National Park and incubated at the conservation centre in Ramdevra. They were returned to their original nests one to two days before hatching, allowing the chicks to emerge and be raised under natural conditions by their mothers. Officials said this method aims to improve survival rates without disturbing the birds' maternal instincts. District forest officer Brijmohan Gupta said the initiative serves three key scientific objectives- protecting eggs from natural predators like jackals and dogs, ensuring successful hatching under controlled conditions, and promoting genetic exchange between GIB populations in Jaisalmer and Pokhran, whose intermingling has declined. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The egg replacement process is carried out by a trained team to ensure the female bird continues to incubate the dummy egg without abandoning the nest. Once the real eggs are incubated in a secure, temperature-controlled environment, they are carefully returned just before hatching. Although commonly used in international conservation efforts, this technique is being implemented for the first time in Rajasthan. The forest department is monitoring the results closely, with plans to expand the project if it proves effective. With only a few GIBs left in the wild, this pilot project marks a hopeful step towards reviving the species' population. The department aims to scale up the initiative in the coming years to ensure more successful hatchings and reintroductions into the bird's natural habitat.
Mint
19-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
United Spirits to buy out Greater Than gin maker Nao Spirits in a ₹110 cr deal
United Spirits Ltd (USL), the Indian arm of global liquor major Diageo Plc, is acquiring homegrown craft spirits maker Nao Spirits & Beverages Pvt. Ltd in a deal valued at about ₹ 110 crore, it said in a stock exchange filing late Thursday evening. The USL board approved the acquisition of an additional stake in Nao Spirits, which owns gin brands like Greater Than and Hapusa, on Wednesday. The company, which already holds 30% in the business, will buy 37,683 equity shares from existing shareholders in two tranches for around ₹ 53.8 crore. It will simultaneously invest approximately ₹ 56 crore via a fresh subscription of 31,820 equity shares and 27,577 compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS), it said in the filing. Following the completion of the first tranche and the new issuance, USL will own around 97.07% of Nao Spirits' paid-up capital on a fully diluted basis. The second tranche of the share purchase, to be completed later, will raise its ownership to 100%, making the craft spirits maker a wholly owned subsidiary of the Diageo arm. The USL board has also authorized a further investment of up to ₹ 20 crore in the alco-bev startup through equity or CCPS to support its working capital and business requirements. USL first acquired a stake in the company in March 2022 and has since completed a gradual buyout. Nao Spirits entered the premium gin market in 2016. 'Ventures, our investment arm, is dedicated to strengthening our portfolio by investing in disruptive alco-bev startups. The acquisition represents a pivotal step in exploring future growth opportunities in Indian craft spirits…,' said Praveen Someshwar, managing director and chief executive, Diageo India (USL). In September 2024, Mint reported that Diageo, the world's largest spirits company, planned to pour $100 million ( ₹ 840 crore then) into the country over the next three years to grow its premium portfolio and develop new products tailored to local tastes. Its chief executive Debra Crew, speaking to Mint, said India was now emerging as a key innovation hub for the company, where products like the homegrown single malt Godawan are first tested and refined before being launched in global markets. Crew added that Diageo was also open to investing in Indian craft spirit brands, citing the country's growing pool of young, affluent consumers. In addition to its investment in Nao Spirits, Diageo has set up a ₹ 45 crore innovation centre in Goa to support research and development of premium beverages. Data from international drinks consultancy IWSR showed that gin had a rapid ascent in the country before levelling off in 2024. The category grew a modest 1% in volume, signalling that the enthusiasm around homegrown craft gins may be cooling. According to industry estimates, at its peak two years ago, the craft gin segment sold roughly 350,000 cases annually. Insiders told Mint that those numbers have now plateaued, an indication that consumer interest may be shifting toward other white spirits. For the year ending 31 March 2025, Diageo India posted gross revenues of ₹ 26,780 crore, marking a 5.4% year-on-year increase. In the March quarter alone, net sales rose 10.5% to ₹ 2,946 crore, driven by a strong portfolio performance and the reopening of trade in Andhra Pradesh.
Mint
19-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
United Spirits to buy out Greater Than gin maker Nao Spirits in a ₹110 cr deal
United Spirits Ltd (USL), the Indian arm of global liquor major Diageo Plc, is acquiring homegrown craft spirits maker Nao Spirits & Beverages Pvt. Ltd in a deal valued at about ₹ 110 crore, it said in a stock exchange filing late Thursday evening. The USL board approved the acquisition of an additional stake in Nao Spirits, which owns gin brands like Greater Than and Hapusa, on Wednesday. The company, which already holds 30% in the business, will buy 37,683 equity shares from existing shareholders in two tranches for around ₹ 53.8 crore. It will simultaneously invest approximately ₹ 56 crore via a fresh subscription of 31,820 equity shares and 27,577 compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS), it said in the filing. Following the completion of the first tranche and the new issuance, USL will own around 97.07% of Nao Spirits' paid-up capital on a fully diluted basis. The second tranche of the share purchase, to be completed later, will raise its ownership to 100%, making the craft spirits maker a wholly owned subsidiary of the Diageo arm. The USL board has also authorized a further investment of up to ₹ 20 crore in the alco-bev startup through equity or CCPS to support its working capital and business requirements. USL first acquired a stake in the company in March 2022 and has since completed a gradual buyout. Nao Spirits entered the premium gin market in 2016. 'Ventures, our investment arm, is dedicated to strengthening our portfolio by investing in disruptive alco-bev startups. The acquisition represents a pivotal step in exploring future growth opportunities in Indian craft spirits…,' said Praveen Someshwar, managing director and chief executive, Diageo India (USL). In September 2024, Mint reported that Diageo, the world's largest spirits company, planned to pour $100 million ( ₹ 840 crore then) into the country over the next three years to grow its premium portfolio and develop new products tailored to local tastes. Its chief executive Debra Crew, speaking to Mint, said India was now emerging as a key innovation hub for the company, where products like the homegrown single malt Godawan are first tested and refined before being launched in global markets. Crew added that Diageo was also open to investing in Indian craft spirit brands, citing the country's growing pool of young, affluent consumers. In addition to its investment in Nao Spirits, Diageo has set up a ₹ 45 crore innovation centre in Goa to support research and development of premium beverages. Data from international drinks consultancy IWSR showed that gin had a rapid ascent in the country before levelling off in 2024. The category grew a modest 1% in volume, signalling that the enthusiasm around homegrown craft gins may be cooling. According to industry estimates, at its peak two years ago, the craft gin segment sold roughly 350,000 cases annually. Insiders told Mint that those numbers have now plateaued, an indication that consumer interest may be shifting toward other white spirits. For the year ending 31 March 2025, Diageo India posted gross revenues of ₹ 26,780 crore, marking a 5.4% year-on-year increase. In the March quarter alone, net sales rose 10.5% to ₹ 2,946 crore, driven by a strong portfolio performance and the reopening of trade in Andhra Pradesh. Quarterly profit after tax stood at ₹ 451 crore, up 17.4%, while gross profit climbed 13.4%, pushing the gross margin to 44.5%.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
73 Great Indian Bustards spotted during ‘waterhole survey' in Jaisalmer
73 Great Indian Bustards, also known as 'Godawan,' were spotted in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district during the annual waterhole survey, a method used for wildlife census. The survey began at midnight on June 11, coinciding with Vaishakh Purnima (the full moon night), and continued uninterrupted for 24 hours until June 12. Vaishakh Purnima is selected for the census as it typically falls during peak summer, when temperatures in Rajasthan soar above 45°C. The intense heat forces wildlife to visit waterholes at least once every 24 hours, increasing the chances of sightings. Additionally, the full moon provides natural light throughout the night, enabling easier observation without artificial lighting—making it the most effective time for wildlife monitoring across India. Brij Mohan Gupta, district forest officer (DFO) of the Desert National Park (DNP), confirmed the sightings and expressed optimism about the bird's increasing presence in its natural habitat. Also Read: 64 Great Indian Bustards spotted during 'Waterhole' survey Wildlife expert and environmentalist Sumer Singh Bhati noted that the rise in wild sightings—alongside the success of the breeding program—offers hope for the long-term survival of the species in the Thar Desert ecosystem. 20% rise in overall wildlife numbers In addition to the Godawan count, this year's census revealed a 20% increase in the overall wild animal population across the six ranges of the Jaisalmer Forest Division. According to Kumar Shubham, deputy conservator of forests (DCF), a total of 2,592 wild animals were observed— up from last year's count. The census was conducted across six ranges—Pokaran, Chhayan, Sam, Lathi, Dabla, and Jaisalmer headquarters—with around 55 forest personnel monitoring 24 water points continuously for 24 hours. The results were described as highly encouraging, supported by favorable weather conditions that allowed for clear visibility and high wildlife activity. Among the animals counted were 933 Chinkaras, 106 cranes (Sarus), 22 foxes, along with hares, jungle cats, and other species. In comparison, the 2024 census recorded 64 Godawans, while 42 were spotted in 2022. The 2023 census could not be conducted due to unexpected rainfall owing to a western disturbance, which disrupted the usual animal movements and visibility necessary for the survey. The 2024 census recorded more than 1,000 Chinkaras, 30 desert cats, 150 foxes, and over 100 vultures—a notable reflection of improving ecological health in the region. The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and Schedule I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)—providing it the highest level of legal protection.
