The Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the State bird of Rajasthan, is considered India’s most critically endangered bird.

● It is considered the flagship grassland species, representing the health of the grassland ecology.

● Its population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat. Small populations occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

● The bird is under constant threats due to collision/electrocution with power transmission lines, hunting (still prevalent in Pakistan), habitat loss and alteration as a result of widespread agricultural expansion, etc.

● International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List: Critically Endangered

●  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix1

●  Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule 1