According to the latest summer census conducted on June 20-21, 2024, the population of Sarus cranes in Uttar Pradesh is on the rise. 

This year’s count revealed 9,918 Sarus cranes, marking an increase of 396 from last year’s count, as reported by state forest department officials.

Key points of the census:

• According to the latest summer census, the Etawah Forest Division recorded the highest number of Sarus cranes at 3,289, which marks an increase of 500 from the previous count.

• The Mau Forest Division spotted six Sarus cranes for the first time in a decade. This sighting is significant for conservation efforts in the region.

• In Uttar Pradesh, the Sarus crane population has shown a consistent upward trend over the years: from 17,329 in 2021 to 19,188 in 2022, 19,522 in 2023, and reaching 19,918 in 2024.

Sarus Crane

• Sarus Crane Grus antigone antigone belongs to the Gruidae family which is the tallest flying bird of the world. 

• Its height reaches up to 156cm. 

• It has a long beak, reddish leg and pale grey body. 

• The head and upper neck is red with ashy green crown. 

• There are 15 species of crane in the world.

• Sarus Crane is resident in lowland Terai region of central Nepal. 

• Besides Nepal, they are distributed in South and South-East Asian countries like India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. 

• Sarus crane is an omnivorous bird and feeds on grain gleaned in stubbles, green shoots, grasses and cereals, tubers and corns of marsh plants, frogs, fish, lizards, grasshoppers and other large insects.

• Sarus crane is non migratory species of crane. 

• It maintains its territory during breeding period. 

• The non-breeding bird occur in flocks of more than 400 individuals. 

• It plays vital role in maintaining the ecosystem of the farmland and wetland by preying upon small vertebrates and invertebrates, and helps to maintain the vegetation. 

• Its eggs can be food source for mammals such as mongoose, fox, jackal and other carnivores.

• The major threats to the population of Sarus crane are environmental pollution, hunting and collection of eggs and chicks. 

• Destruction of habitat due to human encroachment, development activities like building of roads, bridges and settlements and human induced climate change are also the reasons for declining the population of this rare bird. 

Conservation Status:

• Globally and nationally, Sarus Crane is categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ in IUCN Red List with decreasing population trend and listed in Appendix I in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) agreement.

• Sarus crane is a protected species according to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Schedule IV.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)