Endangered Great Indian Bustard Takes Fresh Flight, But Experts Sound Alarm

As India celebrated a landmark conservation achievement with the release of two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards into the wild in Rajasthan's Desert National Park, scientists are simultaneously sounding alarm bells over the growing threats facing the country's birdlife.

The birds are among those bred under a conservation programme jointly run by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Rajasthan Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India.

Conservation centres at Sam and Ramdevra currently house 97 Great Indian Bustards. Of these, 40 originated from wild-laid eggs while 57 have been bred in captivity. Scientists produced 24 live chicks in 2025 and another 29 in 2026. Eleven birds have been selected for eventual release, with the first two now taking flight in the deserts of Rajasthan.

A comprehensive new study published in the journal 'Indian Birds' warns that the country's avifauna or bird life is facing unprecedented pressures. The paper, authored by Prof Ghazala Shahabuddin and 10 other ornithologists published this week titled 'A Review of the Threats to Indian Birds and Habitats', examines the multiple threats driving declines across India's bird populations. Two species have already gone extinct from India, suggest experts.

In a milestone move, released two male Great Indian Bustards in Sam, Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, today morning. This landmark success has been made possible by the nearly decade-long unwavering dedication of our scientists, researchers and ground staff who have spent years to ensure GIB reclaims the deserts of Rajasthan. I thank PM Shri @narendramodi ji for his continued guidance, encouragement and constant support in ensuring our scientific community can work for the conservation of all our species, including the GIB. #IndiaRewildsGIB

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 4, 2026

The Great Indian Bustard itself represents a stark reminder of what is at stake. Once widespread across India's grasslands and deserts, the species now survives in fragmented and highly vulnerable populations.

The paper identifies a wide range of dangers confronting birds across India. These include habitat loss and degradation, monoculture plantations, rapid urbanisation, environmental pollution, illegal hunting and trade, climate change, avian diseases, sand mining, wind farms and associated energy infrastructure, and expanding networks of power transmission lines.

The review notes that at least 10 Great Indian Bustards have been killed by collisions with power lines since 2017.

Wind farms have emerged as an emerging threat. The authors argue that these threats often operate together, magnifying their impact.

"India's avifauna faces a complex array of anthropogenic and emerging threats that affect both species and ecosystems," writes Dr Ghazala Shahabuddin of Ashoka University, Sonepat and her co-authors in the review. The study warns that conservationists still lack sufficient long-term data to fully understand how many bird populations are being affected and at what rate.

Habitat degradation remains one of the most serious concerns. Grasslands, wetlands and forests continue to shrink under pressure from agriculture, infrastructure and development.

Environmental pollution presents another growing challenge. One of the most dramatic examples has been the catastrophic collapse of India's vulture populations due to veterinary painkiller drugs such as diclofenac. According to the review, several vulture species declined by over 97 per cent after exposure to contaminated livestock carcasses.

Climate change is increasingly affecting bird distributions. Scientists say that nearly 70 per cent of Indian bird species may shift northward or move to higher elevations as global temperatures rise. Mountain species in the Himalayas and Western Ghats are expected to be particularly vulnerable.

Illegal killing and wildlife trade continue to affect many species. The review notes that trapping for the pet trade, hunting for meat and demand for feathers and body parts have contributed to population declines of several threatened birds.

Stark, rapid development, infrastructure expansion and continuing habitat loss are exerting increasing pressure on bird populations across India. While two young bustards taking flight over Rajasthan's desert represent hope, scientists say that the future of India's birds will ultimately depend on ensuring that development and biodiversity conservation proceed together.