Critically endangered Great Indian Bustard chick hatches in Gujarat after decade-long wait

A Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick has hatched in Gujarat for the first time in a decade. The breakthrough came through a cross-state conservation effort called the 'Jumpstart Approach'. This rare success offers hope for the critically endangered species, which serves as Rajasthan's state bird. The chick emerged on 26 March 2026 from an egg laid by a tagged female GIB in Kutch. The egg itself was transported from a captive-bred bird in Rajasthan, part of Project GIB's innovative breeding strategy. Launched in 2016, the project operates breeding centres in Sam and Ramdevra to boost the dwindling population.

The current captive population now stands at 73, including five new chicks from this breeding season. The 'Jumpstart Approach' marks a significant step, as natural hatching in Gujarat had not occurred for years. Meanwhile, conservationists continue efforts to stabilise numbers of the species, classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Beyond wildlife, India's Major Ports are also advancing sustainability goals. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has set targets for a 30% cut in CO₂ emissions per ton of cargo by 2030. Initiatives like the Green Tug Transition Programme and Onshore Power Supply are driving this shift. Three ports have also been designated as hubs for green hydrogen under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. In parallel, the Van Dhan Conclave recently focused on tribal livelihoods, promoting value addition to Minor Forest Produce (MFP). The event aimed to empower tribal entrepreneurs through sustainable business models.

The hatching of the GIB chick highlights progress in species recovery, while broader environmental and social programmes push for greener infrastructure and tribal welfare. These efforts reflect coordinated action across conservation, energy, and livelihood sectors. The results will be closely monitored in the coming years.