India’s pride Great Indian Bustard (GIB), once on the brink of extinction, is now showing signs of recovery.

The chirping of tiny Great Indian Bustard chicks echoes once again with joy across the desert, marking a hopeful turn in the revival of one of India’s most endangered species.JAISALMER: In a heartening development from Jaisalmer, a wave of optimism has emerged for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB). This critically endangered bird, which had rapidly declined toward extinction, is now gradually regaining ground in its fight for survival.At the Godawan Captive Breeding Centres located in Ramdevra and Sudasari, two more GIB chicks have been born. With their arrival, the total number of GIBs in the breeding programme has reached 72.Including these two, a total of four chicks have hatched this month at the breeding centres in Desert National Park. This success has been achieved through a combination of natural breeding and Artificial Insemination (AI) techniques.Deputy Conservator of Forests of Desert National Park, B.M. Gupta described this as a new wave of hope rising from the scorching sands of the Thar Desert. Over the weekend, two chicks were born through different methods—one naturally, and the other using advanced AI technology.The parent pairs of these chicks have also drawn attention. One chick was born to ‘Phoenix’ and ‘Lio’, while the other is the result of ‘Aman’ and ‘Sem’. These names symbolize the dedicated scientific efforts being made to save this species.With the birth of these chicks, the total number of GIBs at the conservation centre has now reached 72. While this number may seem small, it is significant for a species whose population had once dropped to fewer than 150 across the country.According to Dr. Suthirto Dutta from the Wildlife Institute of India, the successful use of AI in a sensitive, low-reproduction species like the GIB is a major milestone. It has the potential to become a game-changer in future conservation efforts.Naturally, a GIB lays only one egg per year, and even that faces multiple survival risks. In such a scenario, artificial insemination is a crucial strategy to increase breeding success.He further added that multiple conservation measures are being implemented in and around Jaisalmer—secure breeding centres, high-tech monitoring systems, and now AI-assisted reproduction—all reflecting India’s strong commitment to preserving its biodiversity.Forest officials and wildlife experts see this achievement not just as a success, but as the beginning of a new chapter. If such efforts continue, the population of the Great Indian Bustard could rise significantly in the coming years.As these tiny chicks take their first steps on the vast desert sands, it feels as if nature itself is smiling again. Every chirp carries a message of hope—that with determination and science, even a species on the edge of extinction can be brought back to life.