Apr 1: Diageo India (United Spirits Limited), has been working extensively in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan with the Gramoday Samajik Sansthan (GSS), Government Agencies, Conservation Bodies, and local communities to strengthen on-ground conservation efforts for one of India’s most critically endangered species, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), also known as Godawan.
As part of India’s broader conservation efforts under Project GIB (Godawan), these sustained interventions have contributed to a significant milestone, the birth of a Godawan chick in Gujarat after more than a decade, as highlighted by the Government of India.
Sustained Conservation Efforts
In Rajasthan, GSS, supported by Diageo India since 2023, has been actively supporting habitat and ecosystem strengthening initiatives in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Rajasthan Forest Department and local communities. Key interventions include grassland development, predator sterilization, creation of safe enclosures, provision of safe drinking water sources, and deployment of a specialized safe transportation vehicle to support conservation operations in the region. These on-ground efforts have played a critical role in supporting the broader conservation ecosystem for the species.
Enabling Cross-State Conservation Outcomes
Building on this foundation, the recent “jumpstart” conservation approach, led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the State Forest Departments of Rajasthan and Gujarat and WII, has expanded efforts to Gujarat. The “jumpstart” approach involves placing surrogate eggs with suitable female birds to foster and raise chicks, helping accelerate population recovery in regions where breeding has been limited.
As part of this initiative, the safe transportation vehicle supported by GSS and Diageo India enabled the secure movement of a captive-bred egg from Rajasthan to Gujarat. The operation involved a road journey from Sam in Rajasthan to Naliya in Gujarat to ensure optimal conditions for the incubated egg. This led to the successful hatching of a chick on March 26, now being nurtured by its foster mother, marking the first such sighting in Gujarat in over a decade.
A Collaborative Approach
This progress reflects a strong collaborative model involving government agencies, scientific institutions, NGOs, local communities and the private sector.Brij Mohan Gupta, Deputy Conservator of Forest & Wildlife, Jaisalmer, said: “Long-term conservation of the Godawan bird depends on sustained efforts in core habitats like Rajasthan. Partnerships with NGO’s, local organizations and local communities are critical in strengthening implementation and community engagement at the grassroots level.”Devashish Dasgupta, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo India (USL), said: “We are proud to support Gramoday Samajik Sansthan in their sustained conservation efforts of the near extinct Godawan bird. The project has been making steady progress in strengthening conservation efforts over the years. This milestone demonstrates how partnerships and consistent, on-ground action in critical habitats can enable meaningful conservation outcomes beyond regional boundaries.”Shri. Kedar Shrimal, President and Founder, Gramoday Samaajik Sansthan, said: “Our work in Jaisalmer has focused on strengthening the ecosystem required for the long-term survival of the Godawan bird. The recent milestone seen in Gujarat reinforces the importance of sustained, on-ground efforts and collaborative action in enabling conservation outcomes across landscapes.”
As India continues its efforts under Project GIB, sustained conservation work in core habitats such as Rajasthan, combined with strategic expansion to new landscapes, offers renewed hope for the recovery of the Godawan population.
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