Great Indian Bustard conservation: The Story: “He was always the first one to reach the scene when an injured animal was reported,” said a tearful villager from Dholiya in Rajasthan. “And now, we couldn’t even save him.”
Radheshyam Pemani Bishnoi wasn’t just a name in the world of wildlife conservation—he was the heartbeat of a movement. His mission? To protect one of India’s most critically endangered birds, the Great Indian Bustard, and to preserve the fragile ecosystem of the Thar Desert.
On an ordinary Friday evening in Jaisalmer, that mission came to an abrupt, tragic end.
The Night That Changed Everything
Around 9:30 PM, a quiet stretch of National Highway 11 near Lathi Police Station turned into the scene of a devastating accident. Pemani and three others—Forest Guard Surendra Choudhary, fellow conservationist and ex-armyman Shyam Lal Bishnoi, and gaushala caretaker Kanwaraj Singh—were on a mission to follow up on a suspected case of deer poaching.
But fate had other plans.
Their vehicle collided head-on with a truck, crushing the camper beyond recognition. The impact was so brutal that local authorities had to use cranes to pull the bodies from the wreckage.
Not a single one of them survived.
A Lifetime Devoted to Wildlife
Radheshyam Pemani was no stranger to hardship. Born into the Bishnoi community, which is deeply rooted in principles of environmental protection and non-violence, he had conservation in his blood. As a young boy in Dholiya, he would often walk miles to find water for injured birds, especially during the harsh desert summers.
His empathy for animals wasn’t a hobby—it was his life’s purpose.
Over time, Pemani became the go-to person for any wildlife emergency in Rajasthan’s arid districts. He trained as a veterinary assistant at Jodhpur Rescue Centre, mastering animal first-aid techniques, especially for endangered species.
But it was his unwavering focus on the Great Indian Bustard that gained him national recognition.
Why Radheshyam Pemani Bishnoi the Great Indian Bustard?
Known as “Godawan” in local dialects, the Great Indian Bustard once roamed freely across India’s grasslands. Today, fewer than 150 remain. The bird, despite its large size and iconic status, has suffered due to shrinking habitats, powerline collisions, and human-wildlife conflict.
Pemani knew this. And he also knew that without ground-level action, no amount of policies or research papers would save it.
So, he did what he always did—he went to the front lines. – Great Indian Bustard conservation
His Methods Were Simple, But Effective
Pemani didn’t wait for government grants or international attention. Instead, he worked directly with villagers, educating them about the bustard’s role in the ecosystem. Under the guidance of the ERDS Foundation, he helped set up local watch teams to monitor bustard sightings, keep a log of powerline incidents, and even reported suspicious poaching activities.
And when it came to water? Pemani didn’t wait for rain. He built over 100 small water reservoirs across Jaisalmer to ensure wildlife had access to clean water—often using his own money or collecting donations from his tight-knit Bishnoi community.
He Fought the System Too – (Great Indian Bustard conservation)
Not one to stay silent, Pemani was also a vocal advocate for underground power lines in desert regions. The high-tension overhead wires had become death traps for large birds like the Great Indian Bustard. Every time another bustard fell to its death, Pemani would document it and send reports to local officials.
He made noise in the right places—and it got the attention of bureaucrats, conservationists, and media alike.
But even the strongest voices can be silenced too soon.
The Aftershock of His Death
The news of Pemani’s death spread like wildfire across Rajasthan and India’s conservation circles. Politicians, NGOs, and wildlife lovers paid tribute to the man they often called “Godawan’s Guardian.”
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma tweeted, “It is extremely painful to hear about the deaths of Radheshyam Pemani and his companions. Their contribution to the environment and wildlife will be remembered forever.”
Former CM Ashok Gehlot shared a photo of Pemani with the message: “He lived and died for nature. Rajasthan owes him a debt.”
The Sanctuary Nature Foundation wrote a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, mourning the loss of a grassroots hero.
But beyond the headlines, the villagers of Dholiya and the wildlife of Jaisalmer have lost something even bigger—a protector. -Great Indian Bustard conservation
The Road Ahead: Will the Mission Die With Him?
That’s the question everyone’s asking.
Who will patrol the desert roads in 48-degree heat looking for signs of poachers now? Who will nurse injured birds back to health? Who will speak up in dusty town halls about policies that kill more than they protect?
The conservation community is rallying to keep Pemani’s legacy alive. There are murmurs of naming a bustard sanctuary after him. Others are urging the government to fast-track powerline reform in critical bird habitats.
But perhaps the best way to honor him is to act, just as he did.
If every village had a Pemani, the Great Indian Bustard wouldn’t be on the brink of extinction. If every district officer took his reports seriously, maybe he’d still be alive today.
Final Thoughts from the Desert – Great Indian Bustard conservation
Jaisalmer’s golden sands have witnessed many tales—of kings, of wars, of nomads, and of survival. But in recent times, few stories have stirred the soul like Pemani’s.
He didn’t have a degree in wildlife science. He didn’t wear a khaki uniform with stars. But he had what many experts lack—a burning, unstoppable love for the land, its birds, and its people.
That love made him a legend. And legends, as we know, never truly die.
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