Forest Services
Background: The Great Indian Bustard Chick's Disappearance
In early 2024, officials monitoring the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) reported the disappearance of a recently hatched chick in Rajasthan's Desert National Park. Contrary to initial concerns of predation or poaching, field investigations by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) confirmed that the chick had successfully learnt to fly and left the monitored nest site, marking a natural behavioral milestone. This incident underscores the importance of integrating species-specific behavior into conservation monitoring frameworks.
UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper 3: Biodiversity, Conservation, Environmental Pollution
- GS Paper 1: Geography (Flora and Fauna of India)
- Essay: Conservation challenges of critically endangered species in India
Legal Framework Governing Great Indian Bustard Conservation
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 classifies the Great Indian Bustard under Schedule I, granting it the highest protection level under Section 2. Section 38V mandates the constitution of species recovery programs and habitat conservation plans. Complementing this, the Environment Protection Act, 1986 provides overarching environmental safeguards, while the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 regulates sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity. The National Biodiversity Authority issues guidelines for habitat management and species protection. The Supreme Court's landmark judgment in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 337/1995 (T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India) reinforced the duty of the state to protect endangered species and their habitats, including the GIB.
Conservation Economics and Funding
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) allocated approximately ₹300 crore in 2023-24 under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme, which includes targeted funding for GIB conservation. Captive breeding and chick monitoring programs cost around ₹5 lakh per chick annually, reflecting the high resource intensity of ex-situ conservation. Additionally, eco-tourism linked to GIB habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat generates an estimated ₹50 crore annually, incentivizing local communities to participate in conservation efforts.
Key Institutions and Their Roles
- MoEFCC: Policy formulation, funding allocation, and national-level coordination.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): Expanded mandate to include critically endangered species like GIB, overseeing recovery programs.
- Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS): Field research, population monitoring, and community engagement.
- Wildlife Institute of India (WII): Scientific research on species ecology and training of forest personnel.
- State Forest Departments (Rajasthan, Gujarat): On-ground habitat management and anti-poaching operations.
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): Research on habitat restoration and ecological interventions.
Population and Behavioral Data on Great Indian Bustard
According to MoEFCC's 2023 report, the wild GIB population stands at fewer than 250 individuals, with only 15-20 chicks fledging annually in monitored sanctuaries (BNHS, 2023). The critical flight learning phase occurs between 30-45 days post-hatching (WII, 2022), during which chicks naturally disperse from nests. Mortality rates for chicks in the first six months reach approximately 60%, primarily due to predation and habitat threats. Adult mortality is heavily influenced by anthropogenic factors, with electric power lines accounting for 40% of deaths in Rajasthan (MoEFCC, 2023). The IUCN Red List 2023 classifies GIB as Critically Endangered.
Comparative Conservation: Arabian Oryx in Oman
The Arabian Oryx reintroduction program in Oman offers a benchmark for integrated conservation strategies. Starting from near extinction in the 1980s, the population increased to over 1,200 individuals by 2020 through captive breeding combined with community engagement and habitat restoration. This success highlights the value of incorporating behavioral ecology and local stakeholder involvement, lessons applicable to GIB conservation.
| Aspect | Great Indian Bustard (India) | Arabian Oryx (Oman) |
|---|---|---|
| Population Status | Fewer than 250 wild individuals (2023) | Over 1,200 wild individuals (2020) |
| Conservation Approach | Captive breeding, habitat protection, limited community engagement | Captive breeding, habitat restoration, strong community participation |
| Mortality Factors | Predation, electric power lines, habitat fragmentation | Predation controlled, habitat secured, minimal anthropogenic mortality |
| Behavioral Integration | Limited recognition in policy of fledging/flight learning phases | Behavioral milestones integrated into monitoring and management |
Critical Gaps in Current Conservation Policy
Current policies often misinterpret natural behavioral milestones such as fledging and flight learning as threats or disappearances, leading to unnecessary alarm and misdirected resources. This gap hampers adaptive management and reduces community awareness of species ecology. Conservation frameworks need to explicitly incorporate species-specific life history traits to improve monitoring accuracy and policy responsiveness.
Significance and Way Forward
- Integrate behavioral ecology data into conservation monitoring protocols to distinguish natural dispersal from mortality.
- Enhance community awareness programs to reduce misinterpretation of chick disappearance events.
- Increase investment in habitat connectivity to support fledgling dispersal and reduce mortality risks.
- Adopt lessons from successful reintroduction programs like the Arabian Oryx to strengthen community engagement and adaptive management.
- Review and update legal frameworks to mandate inclusion of species-specific behavioral milestones in recovery plans.
- The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 lists the Great Indian Bustard under Schedule I.
- The flight learning phase of GIB chicks occurs typically within 10-20 days post-hatching.
- Electric power lines are a significant cause of adult GIB mortality in Rajasthan.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- It combined captive breeding with community engagement.
- The population declined from 1980s to 2020 despite conservation efforts.
- Behavioral ecology was integrated into monitoring and management.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Jharkhand & JPSC Relevance
- JPSC Paper: Paper 2 (Environment and Ecology), Paper 3 (Biodiversity Conservation)
- Jharkhand Angle: While GIB is not native to Jharkhand, the state's forest departments face similar challenges with endangered species like the Asiatic Elephant and Hornbill, making lessons from GIB conservation relevant.
- Mains Pointer: Emphasize species-specific behavioral understanding in biodiversity management and the role of institutional coordination in Jharkhand's conservation policies.
What is the typical flight learning period for Great Indian Bustard chicks?
The flight learning phase for Great Indian Bustard chicks typically occurs between 30 and 45 days after hatching, during which the chicks develop flying skills and begin to disperse from the nest (WII, 2022).
Under which schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is the Great Indian Bustard listed?
The Great Indian Bustard is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, affording it the highest level of legal protection.
What is the primary cause of adult Great Indian Bustard mortality in Rajasthan?
Electric power lines are responsible for approximately 40% of adult Great Indian Bustard mortality in Rajasthan, as per MoEFCC 2023 data.
How much funding did MoEFCC allocate for wildlife habitat development including GIB conservation in 2023-24?
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change allocated around ₹300 crore under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme for 2023-24, which includes funding for Great Indian Bustard conservation.
What lessons does the Arabian Oryx conservation program offer for GIB conservation?
The Arabian Oryx program demonstrates the effectiveness of combining captive breeding with community engagement and integrating behavioral ecology into monitoring, leading to population recovery from near extinction to over 1,200 individuals by 2020.