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Godawan Returns: Critically Endangered Bustard to Fly Free
25 Sep
Summary
- Critically endangered Great Indian Bustard to be released into Thar desert.
- Release planned for October 4 during Wildlife Week celebrations.
- Conservation program aims to reintroduce captive-bred birds into wild.
The Great Indian Bustard, critically endangered and locally known as Godawan, is slated for a significant reintroduction into Rajasthan's Thar desert. The Rajasthan forest department is preparing to release captive-bred birds during Wildlife Week in October, marking a pivotal moment in the species' conservation.
Two potential sites in Jaisalmer district, Ramdevra and Sudashri, have been identified, with Ramdevra being the more probable first release location. The decision on the exact number of birds to be released will be made in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India, adhering to established protocols.
This proposed release signifies a major shift towards the rewilding phase of a conservation program that began as an emergency measure against extinction. Rajasthan's breeding program became operational in 2019, with the first captive-bred chick hatching in March 2023. Preparations for pilot releases have been ongoing, with a court order from December 2025 prioritizing Rajasthan for GIB conservation.
