Rajasthan Names Great Indian Bustard Chicks After Operation Sindoor
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Rajasthan Forest Department names newly hatched Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chicks (Sindoor, Vyom, Mishri, Sophia) to honor Operation Sindoor and military personnel. |
| About GIB | - State bird of Rajasthan, critically endangered.- Among the heaviest flying birds; primarily found in Thar Desert (Rajasthan), with smaller populations in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.- Omnivorous, lacks frontal vision, making it prone to power line collisions. |
| Ecological Role | Acts as an indicator species for grassland ecosystem health. |
| Protection Status | - IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered- CITES: Appendix I- CMS: Appendix I- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I. |
| Threats | - Habitat loss (agriculture, mining, infrastructure).- Power line collisions (leading cause of adult mortality).- Human disturbance, unsustainable land use. |
| Conservation Efforts | - Project GIB (2018): Joint initiative by MoEFCC, WII, Rajasthan Forest Department.- Captive breeding centers in Sudasari and Sam (Jaisalmer) with AI monitoring, incubators, sensor-based systems. |
| Other Bustard Species | Lesser Florican, Bengal Florican, Macqueen's Bustard. |
| Operation Sindoor | - Precision strike by Indian Armed Forces (7 May 2025) in retaliation to Pahalgam terror attack.- Targeted terror facilities (JeM, LeT, Hizbul Mujahideen) in Pakistan/PoJK.- Named as a tribute to Pahalgam attack victims (widows). |