The Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse's Rajasthan Story
- Symrna Darkmorph
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
It was in Tal Chappar, with of November 2024 that I first had the pleasure of seeing the Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse that camouflages so well and an inattentive eye could just pass it by without noticing, which is exactly what happened to me until my fellow birders pointed this beautiful bird out. Once I saw it though, I couldn't peel my eyes off of it.
In the sun-baked, sandy expanses of Rajasthan, with feathers the color of dry earth and a distinctive chestnut belly, this small but resilient bird: The Chestnut -bellied Sandgrouse is a master of its harsh desert home. Highly reliant on water despite living in arid habitats it can travel up to 50–60 km (31–37 miles) daily to reach water.
From a distance, the land seems empty—a vast, sun-scorched expanse of dust and dry scrub. Travelers call it a wasteland, a barren stretch of nothingness. But stand still, listen closely, and the silence begins to hum with life.
It's a tale of resilience told by the swift, elegant chinkara and the graceful blackbuck, who dance across the plains with a silent understanding of their home. It’s whispered by the cunning desert fox, its ears alert to every rustle.
The sky, often dismissed as empty, is a stage for giants. The majestic Great Indian Bustard, a rare and iconic sight, patrols the horizon, while flocks of sandgrouse arrive like clockwork, their calls echoing across the quiet dunes.
On the ground, the humble spiny-tailed lizard basks in the sun, a unique and ancient resident perfectly adapted to the heat.
Even the sparse flora has its part to play, with drought-tolerant plants holding on to every drop of life, providing a lifeline for all who call this place home. And when the seasons turn, the air fills with the vibrant chatter of migratory birds, transforming the landscape into a bustling hub of activity.
This is no wasteland. This is a vital and thriving ecosystem, a testament to life's ability to find a way. This land is an irreplaceable sanctuary, rich with specialised mammals, rare birds, unique reptiles, and a cycle of life that is truly worthy of our protection.
For generations, it has thrived in these seemingly desolate “wastelands,” relying on their open, sparsely vegetated terrain for nesting and feeding.
But the very lands that the sandgrouse depends on are disappearing. Over the past 15 years, Rajasthan has seen its wastelands shrink by a staggering 8%, transforming from nearly a third of the state’s land to just 22%. This loss, which amounts to a massive area of about 9,030 square kilometers, is slowly but surely eroding the sandgrouse’s habitat, leaving it with fewer and fewer places to call its own.
The threat isn’t just from the loss of land. The life-giving water that once trickled through the landscape is also vanishing. As more land is converted for farming, irrigation systems pull deeply from the ground, depleting vital groundwater. This forces the sandgrouse to abandon its small, scattered drinking spots and gather at the few remaining watering holes. While they find the water they need, they also find themselves dangerously exposed.
These crowded locations become a hunting ground for predators, and the constant disturbance from human activity leaves the birds more vulnerable than ever.
Globally, the sandgrouse is classified as being of Least Concern, a seemingly hopeful sign.
Yet, a closer look at its fate in India reveals a different story. Long-term studies show a steep decline of over 57% in the Indian population. Despite this worrying trend, there is still hope. The species is protected under Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, a crucial step to safeguard its future.
The chestnut-bellied sandgrouse is more than just a bird; it's a living symbol of a fragile ecosystem. Its struggle is a reminder that what we see as "wastelands" are, in fact, vital habitats, and their disappearance has a ripple effect on the creatures that depend on them for survival. The future of this unique bird now rests on our ability to protect these precious lands and the scarce water sources that sustain them.
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