EVS HOME ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC - PROEJECT GREAT

INDIAN BUSTARD

DEPARTMENT – HISTORY
SEMESTER – 3rd

GROUP MEMBERS
Palak khandal- 776
Shikha Sharma- 689
Aarzoo priya- 363
Vidushi Shekhawat- 1049
Surbhi Vats- 740

The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), commonly known

as Godawan in Rajasthan, is a bird of immense ecological
importance and cultural pride for India, yet it has been pushed to
the brink of extinction. This critically endangered species, now
rarer and more vulnerable to extinction than even the iconic tiger,
was formally recognized for protection under India’s Wildlife
(Protection) Act of 1972. However, despite its legal status, the
Great Indian Bustard received little active conservation attention,
leaving it, metaphorically, below the “Protection Line.” Realizing
the urgent need for intervention, the Rajasthan government
launched an ambitious initiative on June 5, 2013, named Project
Great Indian Bustard, in an effort to protect and rehabilitate this
neglected species. The project, inaugurated by Rajasthan’s
Honorable Chief Minister, signifies a groundbreaking commitment
to prevent the extinction of this bird and secure a future. For its
species.

Historically, the Great Indian Bustard was one of India’s most

widespread birds, with an estimated population of more than
1,000 individuals across various regions a few decades ago.
However, its numbers have seen a dramatic drop due to multiple
human- induced factors. A census in 1978 recorded about 745
individuals, by 2001, the count had reduced to 600, and by 2008,
it further dropped to around 300. Today, as of the year 2013, less
than 125 individuals remain. This decline has alarmed
conservationists, ornithologists, and environmentalists
worldwide. Rajasthan, as the custodian of over 50 percent of the
global population of Great Indian Bustards, has taken it upon
itself to lead the fight against their extinction. Through Project
Great Indian Bustard, the state aims to preserve not only the bird
but also the delicate ecosystem it inhabits.

The Desert National Park (DNP) Sanctuary in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan,

has been selected as the focal point of the conservation effort.
This region provides a unique, semi-arid habitat that is well-
suited to the bustard’s needs, particularly its grasslands, which
the species relies upon for survival. The bustard, a ground-
dwelling bird, thrives in open, arid, and semi-arid grasslands.
These landscapes provide the bird with ample space for nesting,
feeding, and courtship displays. Grasslands are also less likely to
harbor predators, giving bustard chicks a better chance of
survival..

One of the primary reasons behind the population decline of the

Great Indian Bustard is habitat loss. The natural grasslands that
the bustard depends on have gradually. Diminished due to human
activities, such as converting these areas for agriculture,
industrial development, and other land uses. Grasslands, often
mistakenly regarded as wastelands, are frequently targeted for
conversion to croplands, leading to a significant Reduction in the
bustard’s natural habitat. This conversion disrupts the delicate
ecological balance, depriving not only the bustards but also other
grassland species of a home, thereby destabilizing the ecosystem
as a whole.

In addition to habitat loss, the Great Indian Bustard faces various

other threats, including anthropogenic disturbances. During the
breeding season, human activities such as grazing, vehicle
movements, and land development can disrupt the nesting
process, often causing parents to abandon their nests. The loss of
these nests results in a reduced reproductive success rate,
further hindering the species’ recovery. Moreover, the Great
Indian Bustard is sometimes targeted as a game bird, subjecting
it to poaching despite legal protections. Though poaching rates
have declined due to conservation efforts, the threat remains a
persistent challenge.

The plight of the Great Indian Bustard highlights a broader issue:

the neglect of india’s grasslands. Often undervalued and
overlooked, these grasslands are in fact critical ecosystems that
support a vast diversity of flora and fauna. They also play a vital
role in the livelihoods of local communities, particularly
pastoralist communities, who depend on grasslands for grazing
their livestock. With India hosting roughly 15-20 percent of the
world’s livestock population, the health of grasslands directly
affects a significant portion of the country’s agricultural economy.
Thus, the degradation of grasslands not only threatens
biodiversity but also impacts human communities that rely on
these ecosystems for their sustenance.

Project Great Indian Bustard aims to bring much-needed attention

to both the species and its habitat. The project involves multiple
strategies to protect and regenerate bustard populations,
including habitat restoration, community engagement, awareness
campaigns, and stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
Efforts are being made to curb habitat fragmentation by
designating protected areas and restricting land use changes in
key bustard habitats. In addition, the project seeks to involve
local communities in conservation efforts, as their cooperation is
essential for the long-term success of the initiative. Awareness
programs are being conducted to educate the local population on
the ecological importance of the Great Indian Bustard and the
grasslands it inhabits.

Furthermore, the project has the potential to serve as a model for

other regions with endangered grassland species. By emphasizing
the interconnectedness of grassland ecosystems, livestock
grazing, and biodiversity conservation, Project Great Indian
Bustard aims to illustrate how conserving a single species can
have far-reaching positive impacts on an entire ecosystem.
Through its efforts, the project hopes to inspire similar
conservation actions across India and even globally. Rajasthan’s
pioneering role in launching Project Great Indian Bustard marks a
Significant step in Indian wildlife conservation. It signals a
renewed focus on species And habitats that have been overlooked
in the past. By committing to the conservation of the Great Indian
Bustard, Rajasthan is not only working to prevent the extinction
of a critically endangered species but also emphasizing the
broader importance of grassland conservation in India. As Project
Great Indian Bustard progresses, it brings hope for the survival of
the Great Indian Bustard and for the preservation of India’s rich
and diverse ecosystems, ensuring that future generations inherit
a balanced and thriving natural world.