
The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy and Rainmatter Foundation organised the second episode of The Green Mandate – Season 3 on ‘Securing the Future of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB)’. The discussion featured Dr. Asad Rahmani, a veteran ornithologist and former Director of BNHS, Dr. Sumit Dookia, faculty at GGSIP University and a wildlife biologist working with ERDS Foundation in Rajasthan. Held at the India International Centre, New Delhi, on 21st November 2024, the episode shed light on the precarious state of one of India’s most critically endangered bird species, the Great Indian Bustard. The discussion was moderated by Debadityo Sinha, Senior Resident Fellow and Lead of Vidhi’s Climate and Ecosystems.
The GIB is a majestic bird native to India’s arid and semi-arid grasslands and is listed as “Critically Endangered” by the IUCN. Revered locally as the ‘Godavan’ and Rajasthan’s State Bird, it faces grave threats from habitat degradation, collisions with power lines, change in land use, free ranging domestic dogs, etc.
The recording of the full discussion can be watched on YouTube. Below is a brief summary of the discussion.
Understanding the Great Indian Bustard
Dr. Rahmani opened the discussion by providing insights into the ecological significance of the GIB. He emphasised that the bird’s decline is not due to its biological characteristics, such as laying a single egg, but rather human-induced factors like habitat destruction and infrastructure development. Historically found across 80% of India (and Pakistan), the GIB’s range has now shrunk to the Desert National Park (DNP) in Rajasthan and a few isolated areas in Gujarat and Karnataka. Despite its adaptability to grassland ecosystems, the bird has suffered due to overgrazing, agricultural expansion, power line infrastructure and domestic dogs. Dr. Rahmani noted that while the bird is adaptable and capable of surviving in semi-arid climates, the threats from human activities have far outweighed its resilience.
Dr. Sumit Dookia highlighted the ecological role of the GIB as a keystone species. He shared personal accounts of working with local communities to conserve the bird and its habitat, emphasizing how the GIB contributes to pest control and grassland health. He informed that over 80% of the GIB’s time is spent outside protected areas, further complicating conservation efforts.
Challenges in Conservation
One of the most pressing challenges discussed was the impact of power line collisions on GIB populations. Dr. Rahmani explained that the GIB’s limited frontal vision makes it highly vulnerable to collisions with high-tension wires, which have proliferated across its habitat. While bird diverters have been installed in some areas, their success is limited due to the poor quality of materials used in India, often failing within months. He said that bird diverters are temporary measures and undergrounding of power lines in critical habitats is required to save the bird in its remaining habitat. He categorically mentioned that the GIB is now surviving well inside the Desert National National Park and Firing Range areas because there are no power lines.
Dr. Dookia pointed out that habitat fragmentation and changes in local ecosystems due to infrastructure projects, such as the Indira Gandhi Canal, have introduced new threats. These include locally invasive species like nilgai and wild boars, which disturb GIB nesting sites, and shifts in agricultural practices that reduce the availability of suitable habitats. He also highlighted the cultural disconnect that once existed between local communities and GIB conservation, which has been slowly bridged through initiatives like the GIB Mitra program and efforts of the government and nongovernmental organisations. He also mentioned that there are no population estimates of the GIBs in the wild since 2018 and also said that civil society organisations should not work in silos.
Dr. MK Ranjitsinh (renowned conservationist and retired IAS Officer) who was also present among the audience provided a policy perspective, emphasising the constitutional mandate to protect wildlife. He criticised the lack of political will and corporate responsibility, stating that just 2% of annual profits from power companies operating in GIB habitats could fund critical conservation measures like underground power lines. He shared that the undergrounding of power cables cost approximately one Crore a kilometer and will require just 250 Crores for undergrounding the entire GIB habitats. He also proposed that such cost must be met under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandate of the power companies and utilization of funds from CAMPA for habitat restoration. He also showed concern on the Gujarat government’s approach towards GIB and not taking efforts to stop its extinction.
Conservation Efforts and Opportunities
Dr. Rahmani shared the successes of the Wildlife Institute of India’s conservation breeding program, which has raised 47 chicks in captivity. However, he stressed that breeding programs are only a supplementary measure and must be coupled with habitat restoration for long-term success. Captive birds, when released, require carefully managed environments to integrate with wild populations.
Dr. Dookia elaborated on his work with local communities in Jaisalmer, training youth as nature guides to monitor GIB populations and report threats. These guides, many of whom were initially illiterate, have become pivotal in conservation efforts and have helped foster a sense of ownership and accountability among locals.
Balancing Conservation and Development, and a Call to Action
The discussion also delved into the broader debate of balancing conservation with development. Dr. Dookia highlighted the tensions between enclosure-based conservation strategies and the rights of local communities, whose farms, grazing lands often overlap with new enclosures for GIB habitats. He argued for coexistence models that incentivise communities to participate in conservation efforts rather than alienating them.
Dr. MK Ranjitsinh emphasised the need for systemic changes, such as stricter environmental impact assessments for renewable energy projects and better utilization of funds like CAMPA for habitat restoration. He shared that the undergrounding of power cables cost approximately one Crore a kilometer and will require just 250 Crores for undergrounding the entire GIB habitats. He emphasised that such costs must be met under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandate of the power companies.
The panel concluded with a call for collective responsibility in saving the GIB. Dr. Rahmani urged the audience to vote for political leaders who prioritise conservation and to hold corporations accountable for their environmental impacts.