Diageo India Supports Godawan Conservation, Aids Rare Chick Birth in Gujarat

New Delhi, April 02, 2026: Diageo India (United Spirits Limited) is supporting conservation efforts for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (Godawan) through collaborations with Gramoday Samajik Sansthan (GSS), government agencies, and local communities in Rajasthan.

As part of ongoing efforts under Project GIB, these interventions have contributed to a key milestone—the birth of a Godawan chick in Gujarat after more than a decade, as highlighted by the Government of India.

Since 2023, GSS, with support from Diageo India, has been implementing habitat and ecosystem strengthening initiatives in Jaisalmer in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Rajasthan Forest Department, and local communities. These efforts include grassland development, predator sterilisation, creation of safe enclosures, provision of water sources, and deployment of a specialised transportation vehicle for conservation operations.

The recent milestone in Gujarat was enabled through a “jumpstart” conservation approach led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration with state forest departments and WII. The initiative involves placing surrogate eggs with suitable female birds to support breeding in new habitats.

As part of this process, a captive-bred egg was safely transported from Sam in Rajasthan to Naliya in Gujarat using a vehicle supported by GSS and Diageo India. The egg successfully hatched on March 26 and is currently being nurtured by a foster bird.

Brij Mohan Gupta, Deputy Conservator of Forest & Wildlife, Jaisalmer, said: “Long-term conservation of the Godawan bird depends on sustained efforts in core habitats like Rajasthan. Partnerships with NGO’s, local organizations and local communities are critical in strengthening implementation and community engagement at the grassroots level.”

Devashish Dasgupta, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo India (USL), said: “We are proud to support Gramoday Samajik Sansthan in their sustained conservation efforts of the near extinct Godawan bird. The project has been making steady progress in strengthening conservation efforts over the years. This milestone demonstrates how partnerships and consistent, on-ground action in critical habitats can enable meaningful conservation outcomes beyond regional boundaries.”

Shri Kedar Shrimal, President and Founder, Gramoday Samajik Sansthan, said: “Our work in Jaisalmer has focused on strengthening the ecosystem required for the long-term survival of the Godawan bird. The recent milestone seen in Gujarat reinforces the importance of sustained, on-ground efforts and collaborative action in enabling conservation outcomes across landscapes.”

The initiative highlights a collaborative conservation model involving government agencies, NGOs, scientific institutions, and the private sector, contributing to efforts aimed at restoring the population of one of India’s most endangered bird species.