- The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is one of the most critically endangered bird species globally, with its core population concentrated in Rajasthan. - A new rewilding and conservation project has been launched in Rajasthan to save the GIB from the brink of extinction through captive breeding, habitat management, and addressing threats like high-tension power lines. - Key threats include collision with overhead transmission lines, habitat degradation, feral dogs, and agricultural expansion in arid grasslands. - Conservation measures involve undergrounding power cables where feasible, installing bird deflectors, and intensive monitoring by wildlife authorities. - **Supreme Court of India:** The apex court of India, which has issued landmark orders regarding the protection of critically endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard and the undergrounding of power lines in priority habitats. - **Wildlife Institute of India (WII):** An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that provides scientific advice and research for wildlife conservation, actively involved in Project GIB's captive breeding and rewilding. - **Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972:** India's principal legislation for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants, providing the legal framework for establishing protected areas and safeguarding endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard. **Introduction** An overview of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) rewilding and conservation project in Rajasthan, highlighting the threats faced by India's critically endangered state bird of Rajasthan, including power line collisions, and the multi-pronged conservation strategy involving captive breeding and habitat protection. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is one of the most critically endangered bird species globally, with its core population concentrated in Rajasthan. - A new rewilding and conservation project has been launched in Rajasthan to save the GIB from the brink of extinction through captive breeding, habitat management, and addressing threats like high-tension power lines. - Key threats include collision with overhead transmission lines, habitat degradation, feral dogs, and agricultural expansion in arid grasslands. - Conservation measures involve undergrounding power cables where feasible, installing bird deflectors, and intensive monitoring by wildlife authorities. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Supreme Court of India:** The apex court of India, which has issued landmark orders regarding the protection of critically endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard and the undergrounding of power lines in priority habitats. - **Wildlife Institute of India (WII):** An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that provides scientific advice and research for wildlife conservation, actively involved in Project GIB's captive breeding and rewilding. - **Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972:** India's principal legislation for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants, providing the legal framework for establishing protected areas and safeguarding endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard.