- Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) were successfully released into the wild in Rajasthan as part of species conservation efforts. - The release marks a significant milestone for the captive breeding programme of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, one of India's heaviest flying birds. - The initiative involves collaboration between the Rajasthan Forest Department, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and other conservation bodies. - Major threats to the GIB include habitat loss, collisions with high-voltage power transmission lines, and stray dogs. - **Species Recovery Programme:** A targeted conservation initiative under India's centrally sponsored wildlife schemes aimed at rebuilding populations of critically endangered native species through captive breeding, habitat restoration, and reintroduction into the wild. - **Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:** India's principal legislation for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. It places species like the Great Indian Bustard under Schedule I, granting them the highest level of legal protection against hunting and habitat destruction. - **Wildlife Institute of India (WII):** An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change providing technical expertise, research, and scientific leadership for wildlife management, biodiversity assessment, and species reintroduction programs in India. **Introduction** Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIBs), critically endangered birds native to arid grasslands, have been successfully released into the wild in Rajasthan. This marks an important milestone in India's conservation and captive-breeding efforts led by state forest authorities and research institutions to save the species from the brink of extinction, amidst persistent threats like power transmission lines and habitat degradation. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) were successfully released into the wild in Rajasthan as part of species conservation efforts. - The release marks a significant milestone for the captive breeding programme of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, one of India's heaviest flying birds. - The initiative involves collaboration between the Rajasthan Forest Department, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and other conservation bodies. - Major threats to the GIB include habitat loss, collisions with high-voltage power transmission lines, and stray dogs. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Species Recovery Programme:** A targeted conservation initiative under India's centrally sponsored wildlife schemes aimed at rebuilding populations of critically endangered native species through captive breeding, habitat restoration, and reintroduction into the wild. - **Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:** India's principal legislation for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. It places species like the Great Indian Bustard under Schedule I, granting them the highest level of legal protection against hunting and habitat destruction. - **Wildlife Institute of India (WII):** An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change providing technical expertise, research, and scientific leadership for wildlife management, biodiversity assessment, and species reintroduction programs in India.