Great Indian Bustard Watch
Great Indian Bustard: Protecting India’s Vanishing Bird Giant
Why You Should Care About the Great Indian Bustard
If you love wildlife, nature, or simply value the beauty of India’s natural heritage, then the Great Indian Bustard is a bird you need to know—and protect. Once found in large numbers across India’s grasslands, this majestic bird is now on the brink of extinction. With fewer than 150 individuals left, your awareness and action can play a key role in ensuring the survival of one of the country’s most iconic species. In this post, you’ll discover why the Great Indian Bustard matters and how you can help save it—even from your own home.
Who Is the Great Indian Bustard?
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, standing nearly a meter tall and weighing up to 15 kg. It is indigenous to India and is distinguished by its long legs, graceful gait, and eye-catching black crown. Males are larger with a distinctive puffed-out white chest during courtship displays. These birds are ground dwellers, preferring open grasslands and semi-arid plains, and are mostly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Why the Great Indian Bustard Is Critically Endangered
The Great Indian Bustard is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The alarming decline is due to:
Loss of habitat brought on by mining, infrastructure, and agriculture
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Collisions with high-tension power lines, which are invisible and deadly to flying bustards
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Poaching and egg theft in the past
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Lack of awareness and weak enforcement of conservation laws
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Fragmentation of grassland ecosystems, which reduces breeding success
Today, your awareness and voice are crucial to prevent the extinction of this flagship species.
Why the Bustard’s Survival Matters to You
You may wonder why saving one bird species matters. Here’s why:
One keystone species that shows how well India's grassland ecosystems are doing is the Great Indian Bustard.
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It supports a chain of biodiversity, including insects, reptiles, and native flora
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Its extinction would reflect the collapse of India’s traditional grazing landscapes
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Conserving it can boost eco-tourism, education, and research opportunities
When you help save the bustard, you also protect grasslands, rural livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
India’s Efforts to Save the Great Indian Bustard
India has initiated multiple conservation steps to protect this endangered bird:
The Wildlife Institute of India's (WII) Project Bustard
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Establishment of Conservation Breeding Centres in Rajasthan
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Declaration of Desert National Park in Jaisalmer as a bustard sanctuary
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Bird diverters on electric lines to reduce deaths from collision
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Active involvement of local communities and herders in preserving bustard habitats
Yet, these efforts need your support, awareness, and promotion to make a lasting impact.
How You Can Help Conserve the Great Indian Bustard
Even from your home or city, you can take simple steps to protect this endangered bird:
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Share educational content and raise awareness online
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Support NGOs and conservation projects focused on bustard recovery
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Avoid and discourage illegal encroachment or grazing in grasslands
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If you live nearby, report bird sightings to local wildlife officials
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Encourage schools and youth groups to participate in bird conservation drives
Your voice and actions can amplify conservation messages and save a national treasure.
Interesting Facts About the Great Indian Bustard
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It is also called “Godavan” in Rajasthan.
To entice the female birds, the male ones make loud noises and do a spectacular dance.
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It lays only one egg per year, making population recovery slow.
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It is one of the 3 contenders for India’s national bird, but lost to the peacock.
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A small population also exists in Pakistan’s Cholistan Desert.
FAQs About the Great Indian Bustard
Q1. The Great Indian Bustard is referred to be "critically endangered," but why?
Because there are fewer than 150 individuals left, mainly in India, facing high risks of extinction.
Q2. Where can I see the Great Indian Bustard in India?
The best place is Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, where breeding programs are active.
Q3. What is being done to protect the bustard from power lines?
Special bird diverters are being installed on electric lines to make them visible to birds in flight.
Q4. Why is it difficult for bustards to recover in population?
They breed slowly (one egg per year) and need vast, undisturbed grasslands, which are shrinking.
Q5. Can students or schools participate in bustard conservation?
Yes! Schools can organize awareness events, poster campaigns, and nature club visits to promote conservation.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Stand Up for the Great Indian Bustard
The Great Indian Bustard is not just a bird—it’s a symbol of India’s biodiversity, resilience, and heritage. Its survival depends not just on policies or scientists, but on people like you—aware, informed, and willing to act. Whether it’s by spreading awareness, supporting conservation, or respecting natural spaces, you can be part of the movement to bring this beautiful bird back from the brink.
So raise your voice, plant a thought, and let the bustard soar again across India’s blue skies.
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