Barmer/Jaisalmer, April 27 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted India's ongoing conservation efforts to protect the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, saying that scientific interventions and sustained ground action are helping revive the species in Rajasthan's desert ecosystem. Speaking during the 133rd episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister recalled the earlier alarming decline in the bird's population and emphasised that continuous efforts are now yielding results. "There was a time when the number of Great Indian Bustards had reduced drastically and the species was on the verge of extinction," Modi said. He added that with sustained conservation measures and scientific approaches, the species is beginning to recover. "When we understand nature, respect it and move forward in harmony with it, positive changes are bound to happen," he said. The Prime Minister also highlighted the use of modern scientific techniques such as captive breeding and artificial insemination, along with habitat protection measures in and around Desert National Park. He also acknowledged the role of breeding centres in Ramdevra and Sam, where sustained efforts are underway to increase the bird's population. The Great Indian Bustard, Rajasthan's state bird and one of the rarest species in the world, remains critically endangered. Once widespread across the Indian subcontinent, its population has now declined to fewer than 200, with the majority found in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and smaller populations in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. As one of the heaviest flying birds globally, its survival depends heavily on continued conservation efforts in the Thar desert. The species is listed on the IUCN Red List, included in Appendix I of CITES, and protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Despite its precarious status, sustained conservation measures and the establishment of dedicated breeding centres are beginning to show encouraging results. The Bustard Recovery Programme, launched in 2016, is a joint initiative of the Government of Rajasthan, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the International Fund for Houbara Conservation. The programme focuses on captive breeding, habitat protection, and creating a sustainable environment for future release into the wild. Significant milestones have been achieved under the programme. In 2022, the Jaisalmer breeding centre collected 30 eggs, of which 24 successfully hatched, although two chicks later died. By April 2023, 13 more eggs hatched through artificial incubation. The ongoing 2024-2029 phase emphasises advancing artificial insemination techniques alongside captive breeding, while continuing collaboration with international partners....