Barmer/Jaisalmer, May 22 -- In a significant boost to conservation efforts for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), nine Godawans were seen together in the wild during celebrations of Rajasthan's inaugural "Godawan Day" on Thursday (May 21) at Desert National Park (DNP) in Jaisalmer. The rare sighting occurred in the Sudasari region during a safari led by Rajasthan forest and environment minister Sanjay Sharma. Forest department officials said the group comprised five female and four male Great Indian Bustards. Wildlife experts called the sighting a notable conservation success, as the shy bird is seldom observed in such numbers together. The state-level programme was held at the Sudasari breeding centre, where the forest minister unveiled statues of the Godawan to raise awareness about desert wildlife conservation. Jaisalmer MLA Chhotu Singh Bhati, BJP district president Dalpat Singh Hingra, senior forest officials and wildlife experts attended the event. Reviewing ongoing conservation and artificial breeding projects, Sanjay Sharma said the Rajasthan government is fully committed to preventing the species' extinction. "Currently, 130 Godawans are present in the forests of Jaisalmer, while 87 birds are being protected at the advanced breeding centre. With this, the total Godawan population has increased to 217," the minister said. He added that the government would further strengthen natural habitat protection, egg safety measures and breeding centre facilities in the coming years to conserve the iconic bird of the Thar Desert. The Great Indian Bustard, Rajasthan's state bird, is critically endangered, with only about 120-130 birds left in the wild, mainly in Jaisalmer and Barmer. To save the species, conservation breeding centres at Ramdevra and Sudasari in Jaisalmer are using artificial incubation and artificial insemination to increase numbers. A major breakthrough came in 2022 with the first successful artificial incubation hatch, followed by India's first Great Indian Bustard chick born through artificial insemination in October 2024. By May 21, 2026, the captive population had reached 87 birds, including 27 produced through artificial insemination. Scientists are now preparing young birds for release into the wild as part of efforts to rebuild the species' population....