Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
UPSSSC Junior Assistant Admit Card 2025 Fastag Annual Pass 2025 UGC NET Exam Analysis 2025 UGC NET Question Paper 2025 AP LAWCET Result 2025 UGC NET City Slip 2025 UPSC DAF 1 2025 Rajasthan PTET Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims Result 2025 UPSC IFS Result 2025 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike News UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key UPSC 2026 Calendar UPSC Admit Card 2025 UPSC Prelims Result Date 2025 UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 UPSC Final Result 2025 UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey UPSC Application Rejected List 2025 UPSC Application Date Re-Extended UPSC Interview Date 2024 UPSC Notification 2025 UPSC Admit Card 2025 for Prelims UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC IFS Notification 2025 Indian Navy MR Result 2025 Indian Navy SSR Result 2025
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Great Indian Bustard UPSC Notes: Characteristics & IUCN Status

Great Indian Bustard UPSC Notes: Characteristics & IUCN Status

Last Updated on Apr 01, 2024
Also Read Great Indian Bustard UPSC Notes: Characteristics & IUCN Status in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

The Great Indian Bustard is also known as Ardeotis nigriceps. It is a large terrestrial bird seen in Pakistan and India. It belongs to the world’s largest flying bird species and is known by several names in various states. Maldhok, Yerbhoot, Ghorad, Godawan, Tuqdar, Sohan Chidia, etc., are well-known bird names. Salim Ali, an Indian Ornithologist, strongly supported the Great Indian Bustard when it was proposed as India’s “National Bird,” but the “Indian Peafowl” was chosen instead. The Rajasthan Government initiated Project Great Indian Bustard with the aim of preserving the dwindling population of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), known locally as Godawan.

In this article on the Great Indian Bustard UPSC, let us look at the Great Indian Bustard’s IUCN Status, its characteristics and Habitat, Sanctuary and National Parks, Project Great Indian Bustard, and other conservation initiatives. 

This topic the Great Indian Bustard UPSC is important for the Environment section, which is a part of UPSC mains GS 3 paper. 

Check out the linked article to download the Environment Notes for UPSC Exams now!

About the Great Indian Bustard

The Great Indian Bustard (GIB), also known as Godavan locally, is the state bird of Rajasthan, India. The bird is known as the “flagship grassland species” and is said to signify the ecology’s health. It is the largest native bird of the Indian subcontinent that can fly. Gujarat and Rajasthan are the states that are native to the Great Indian Bustard. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are home to a small portion of its population.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the feathered creature is critically endangered because it has been hunted and experienced habitat loss as a result of extensive changes in agricultural practices and other factors. It has also been struck by power transmission lines and received electric shocks from those impacts, owing to its poor eyesight. Many initiatives have been taken up by the Indian government to conserve the species.

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Physical Characteristics of Great Indian Bustard
  • The Great Indian Bustard is a tall bird with long legs, similar to an ostrich, and a long neck. It stands about one meter tall.
  • Its black cap on a pale head and neck sets it apart from other birds.
  • The wings display black, brown, and grey markings, while the body is light brown.
  • Feather color helps distinguish between male and female bustards.
  • The male is 1.1–1.20 meters long, weighing 8–18 kg. It has a dark, sandy buff color, and its breast band turns black during mating season.
  • The female is smaller, weighing between 3.5 and 6.75 kg.
  • Although the Great Indian Bustard is the largest flying bird in its native region, the Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) and the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) are larger than it.

Check out the linked article to download the notes on the National Wildlife Action Plan for UPSC Exams now!

Distribution and Habitat of Great Indian Bustard
  • The habitat of the Great Indian Bustard consists of arid and semi-arid grasslands with scattered short shrubs, bushes, and low-intensity cropping. It avoids irrigated areas.
  • GIBs are heavy-flying birds that prefer grasslands as their habitat. They spend most of their time on the ground and only fly short distances between different areas.
  • As the flagship bird species of grasslands, GIBs serve as indicators of the ecosystem's health.
  • Their diet includes grass seeds, insects, lizards, and more.
  • The historical range of GIBs once covered a significant part of the Indian subcontinent, but now it has been reduced to approximately 10% of its previous extent.
  • The Great Indian Bustard, previously widespread in Pakistan and India, is now found only in a few specific locations in both countries.
  • They used to be present in 11 states in India but are now only found in the following 6 states.
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Gujarat
  • Karnataka
  • Maharashtra
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Rajasthan

Check out the linked article to download the notes on the Global Tiger Forum for UPSC Exams now!

Great Indian Bustard IUCN Status

The Great Indian Bustard has been listed as Critically Endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). From “Endangered” to “Critically Endangered,” this bird species’ status was reduced by Birdlife International in 2011. Critically endangered species are those that are in imminent danger of going extinct in the near future.

The Protection Status of the Great Indian Bustard 

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Appendix 1

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)

Appendix I

International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List

Critically Endangered

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Schedule 1

Why are Great Indian Bustards Endangered?

There were 300 species in 2008, dropping from an estimated 1,260 in 1969. According to experts, hunting could lead to the bird’s complete extinction within 15 to 20 years.

  • Due to its relatively tiny population and rapid decrease brought on by various factors, the great Indian bustard is severely endangered.
  • Agricultural expansion and mechanization-related habitat loss and degradation pose the biggest threat to the birds.
  • Hunting and physical disturbance are also major challenges to the GIB’s survival.
  • Some of the other threats to GIBs, according to scientists at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), are likewise caused by overhead power transmission lines.

Targeted conservation efforts must be urgently accelerated to keep it from going functionally extinct over the next several decades.

What is the Impact on the Environment due to the Great Indian Bustard’s Extinction?

Each animal and bird contributes to the food chain. Therefore, the extinction of even one species might have catastrophic effects on the environment. Thus, the ecosystem gets disrupted.

  • It is the finest indicator species of healthy grassland habitat, making it the “umbrella species” of the Indian grassland ecosystem.
  • The Great Indian Bustard is a “Friend of the Farmer” by preserving it. Other grassland species will have a better chance of survival.
  • Rodents, reptiles, and insects make up the Bustard’s diet. Without the Bustard, there is a high likelihood of these species becoming overpopulated, eventually setting off a chain of reactions (domino effect).
  • An area’s agricultural production can suffer tremendously from increased rodent populations.

Check out the linked article to download the notes on the Sixth Mass Extinction for UPSC Exams now!

Conservation of Great Indian Bustard

Many conservation measures are being taken to protect the GIB, including:

  • Habitat protection for Great Indian Bustard: The Indian government has designated many protected areas for the GIB. This includes the Desert National Park in Rajasthan and the Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh. These areas are home to important GIB habitats. They provide some degree of protection from poaching and other threats.
  • Captive breeding: Captive breeding programs have been established at many zoos and research institutions in India. These programs aim to produce captive-bred GIB chicks that can be released into the wild to help boost the population.
  • Awareness raising: Conservation organizations are working to raise awareness about the GIB and its plight. This includes educating local communities about the importance of the GIB and the need to protect it.

Check out the linked article to download the Natural Vegetation in India notes for UPSC Exams now!

Great Indian Bustard National Parks

Some national parks where the Great Indian Bustard is found are listed below.

Rajasthan’s Desert National Park

The Great Indian Bustards, Blackbuck, and Chinkara are frequently seen in the Desert National Park. The ideal locations to observe the Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan are within the Desert National Park and in areas outside of protected zones in the Ajmer and Jaisalmer districts. This national park stands out as one of the few in India where a substantial population of the endangered Great Indian Bustard can be found.

Maharashtra’s Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary

It was established in 1979, also called the Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary of Maharashtra. It is a protective haven for the great Indian bustard (Ardeotis Nigriceps) in Solapur, Maharashtra, India. The sanctuary is situated in a semi-arid region that is susceptible to drought. It falls within the ecoregion known as the Deccan thorn scrub forests.

Gujarat’s Kutch Bustard Sanctuary

Kutch, one of the prominent sanctuaries in Gujarat, is renowned for its conservation efforts of the great Indian bustard. It is one of the two major sanctuaries in the state. Within Gujarat's bustard sanctuaries, there are approximately 30 birds. It includes other less common bustard species, such as floricans and migratory houbara bustards.

Andhra Pradesh’s Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary

The Kurnool district’s Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known habitat for the great Indian bustard. It is situated very close to the border with Karnataka.

Gujarat’s Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary

The Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Jamnagar district of Gujarat. It is one of the top reserves dedicated to preserving the Indian bustard. It is also a habitat for three important wildlife species: the jungle cat, the Indian wolf, and the golden jackal.

Madhya Pradesh’s Karera and Ghatigaon Sanctuary

The Great Indian Bustard has a sizable population in the Ghatigaon Sanctuary. The Karera Wildlife Sanctuary was established to protect this bird. Madhya Pradesh has chosen to decertify the sanctuary due to local resistance.

Check out the linked article to download the notes on the Causes of Biodiversity Loss for UPSC Exams now!

Great Indian Bustard UPSC Quick Facts 

The below table gives an overview of the important facts about the Great Indian Bustard:

Great Indian Bustard – Key Facts 

Scientific Facts 

Kingdom- Animalia

Class- Aves

Genus- Ardeotis

Family- Otididae

Scientific Name- Ardeotis nigriceps

Local Name

Godavan

Height

1 to 1.2 meter

Weight

15 Kgs

Population

150 in India (Wildlife Institute of India Study)

Around 200 Worldwide

Population Distribution

India and Pakistan

Habitat

Grass Plains, Scrublands, Dry and Semi-dry Grasslands

Food

Arthropods, worms, grass seeds, berries, rodents, reptiles

IUCN Status

Critically Endangered

Reasons for Extinction

Habitat Loss, Hunting, Collision with Power Lines

Popular National Parks and Sanctuaries

Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Solapur, Maharashtra

WWF-India Initiatives for Conservation of the Species

Inputs to expand the ‘Guidelines for the State Action Plan for Resident Bustard Recovery Program.’

Raising awareness and making efforts to lift funds for the purpose.

Check out the linked article to download the notes on Desertification for UPSC Exams now!

We hope your doubts regarding the topic of Great Indian Bustard UPSC have been addressed after going through the above article. Testbook offers good quality preparation material for different competitive examinations. Succeed in your UPSC IAS exam preparations by downloading the Testbook App now!

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Great Indian Bustard - FAQs

The Great Indian Bustard is considered to be severely endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (which indicates that its population is decreasing).

Ashok Gehlot, the honourable chief minister of Rajasthan, initiated the Project Great Indian Bustard on June 5th, 2013 with the goal of conserving the very last remaining population of the critically endangered species.

There are many national parks in India for the Great Indian Bustard, but the most well-known is the Desert National Park near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. About 122 severely endangered GIB species can be found in this national park.

According to research by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), these birds have poor frontal vision, and at least 10 of them have been reported killed after colliding with electricity lines, including two that were tagged.

In the Indian subcontinent, the great Indian bustard lives in arid grasslands and scrublands; Rajasthan in India is home to the majority of its population.

The Ardeotis Nigriceps is protected at the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary which is located in Solapur, Maharashtra, India.

There are now only 150 Great Indian Bustards surviving, with Jaisalmer housing the majority of them. They are losing lives due to collisions with high-voltage power wires at a rate of 15% each year.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice