Great Indian Bustard in Cholistan: UAE–Pakistan Collaboration Offers Hope.

Great Indian Bustard in Cholistan: UAE–Pakistan Collaboration Offers Hope for a Vanishing Species
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)—often described as the “King of the Grasslands”—is today among the most critically endangered birds in the world. Once widespread across the arid and semi-arid plains of the Indo-Pak subcontinent, the species has suffered a catastrophic decline due to habitat loss, human disturbance, and illegal hunting.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the global population of the Great Indian Bustard had declined to around 300 individuals by 2008, placing the species on the brink of extinction. It is listed as Critically Endangered and included under CITES Appendix I and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), highlighting the need for urgent international conservation efforts.

In Pakistan, the Cholistan Desert in southern Punjab has emerged as one of the last remaining habitats of the Great Indian Bustard. Long thought to have disappeared from the country, the species’ continued presence in Cholistan has been confirmed through a series of scientific surveys conducted over the past two decades, offering cautious optimism to conservationists.
The vast grasslands, sparse human population, and unique desert ecology of Cholistan provide conditions that closely match the habitat requirements of the Great Indian Bustard, which prefers open landscapes with minimal disturbance.

A central and sustained role in documenting, monitoring, and advocating for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard in Pakistan has been played by Houbara Foundation International Pakistan (HFIP). Since the early 2000s, HFIP has been actively engaged in field surveys, ecological assessments, and coordination with national and international conservation partners to determine the status of this elusive species.
HFIP has led and facilitated multiple structured surveys in the Cholistan Desert, working in close collaboration with WWF-Pakistan, the Zoological Survey of Pakistan, the Punjab Wildlife Department, and international experts. These efforts have been instrumental in generating credible scientific data at a time when sightings of the bird had become extremely rare and sporadic.

The conservation initiatives in Cholistan have received critical technical and institutional support from the United Arab Emirates, reflecting the UAE’s long-standing commitment to wildlife conservation beyond its borders. Experts from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) and the National Avian Research Centre (NARC), Abu Dhabi, have participated alongside HFIP in joint survey missions, contributing advanced field expertise, scientific methodologies, and global conservation experience.
The most comprehensive survey, conducted between 2 and 6 March 2020, was carried out by a composite team comprising HFIP, IFHC, NARC (Abu Dhabi), WWF-Pakistan, and the Zoological Survey of Pakistan. This landmark survey successfully sighted 15 Great Indian Bustards at multiple locations within the Cholistan Game Reserve, confirming beyond doubt that the species continues to survive in Pakistan.

Beyond surveys, HFIP has played a key role in highlighting conservation threats, engaging policymakers, and advocating protective measures for the Great Indian Bustard and its fragile habitat. Based on survey findings, HFIP and its partners recommended enhancing protected areas, restricting special shooting permits within the Cholistan Game Reserve, regulating grazing pressure, and initiating regular population monitoring.
These recommendations, supported by scientific evidence generated through HFIP-led surveys and UAE-backed technical expertise, laid the groundwork for stronger conservation action.

In a significant breakthrough, the Government of Punjab, through its Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department, officially notified a designated area in Tehsil Yazman, Bahawalpur, as a Wildlife Sanctuary for the Great Indian Bustard in 2023. This legal protection marks a major milestone in Pakistan’s conservation history and reflects the cumulative impact of sustained research, advocacy, and international cooperation.
To strengthen on-ground protection, the process of recruiting 35 wildlife watchers is currently underway. Once deployed, they will be responsible for monitoring the sanctuary, preventing illegal activities, and safeguarding both the bird and its habitat.

The Great Indian Bustard is widely regarded as an indicator species for healthy grassland ecosystems. Protecting it also means conserving vast desert grasslands that support numerous other species and sustain traditional livelihoods.
Conservationists emphasize that the continued survival of the Great Indian Bustard in Cholistan depends on long-term commitment, sustained collaboration between Pakistan and the UAE, community engagement, and science-based management. The role played by HFIP, supported by UAE conservation institutions, stands as a compelling example of how international cooperation can help rescue species on the edge of extinction.

The ongoing efforts in Cholistan demonstrate that saving the Great Indian Bustard is not merely about protecting a rare bird—it is about preserving a disappearing ecosystem and honoring a shared responsibility toward future generations.
With continued support from the UAE, dedicated fieldwork by Houbara Foundation International Pakistan, and firm policy backing from the Government of Punjab, there remains a narrow but real window of hope that this majestic bird will continue to grace Pakistan’s desert skies.

Former Vice Chief of Army Staff General Muhammad Yousaf Khan (Retd) invited to release the rescued Great Indian Bustard – 2005

The Great Indian Bustard being released by General Muhammad Yousaf Khan (Retd)