Union Environment Minister and Rajasthan Chief Minister initiate release of captive-bred Great Indian Bustards at Desert National Park

3 October 2026

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, during Wildlife Week 2026, initiated the process of releasing two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIB) from the soft-release facility into the wild at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer. The release is planned for 4 October. The Ministry called it a milestone after ten years of effort, marking a shift from building a conservation-breeding population to rewilding. The GIB is the critically endangered State bird of Rajasthan. A Rewilding Aviary was inaugurated, and the breeding centres at Ramdevra and Sam were reviewed.