The population of Sarus crane in Uttar Pradesh has steadily grown since 2013, owing to conservation efforts in recent years. Their population in U.P. has climbed to 15,938 as per the 2018 census (summer) from 12,000 in 2013.
About:
Scientific name: Grus Antigone.
Distinguished features: Sarus crane is distinguishable by its red upper neck and white collar.
Height: Towering at 152-156 cm, over 5 feet on average, it is the world’s tallest flying bird.
Habitat: The Sarus habitat is outside protected areas, in natural wetlands with low water depth, marshy and fallow areas and agricultural fields.
Distribution:
The Sarus crane has three disjunct populations in the Indian sub-continent, south-east Asia and northern Australia with an estimated global population of 25,000-37,000 individuals.
In the Indian subcontinent, it is found in northern and central India, Terai Nepal and Pakistan with an estimated population of 20,000, majority of which are in Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh:
It is the official State bird of Uttar Pradesh.
Since 2013, the Sarus Crane Conservation Project has been running across Purvanchal by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in collaboration with the U.P. Forest Department.
IUCN status: Vulnerable.
Threats:
As per the IUCN 2016 status, the Sarus crane population has decreased globally, owing to the degradation of wetlands, ingestion of pesticides, electrocution due to power transmission lines in agricultural areas and collection of eggs for medicinal purposes.
In U.P., Change in the cropping pattern from paddy to sugarcane is another reason.
Ecological Significance: They play a vital role in ecological balance by controlling the population of harmful insects and have significant cultural importance, while also being sociable.
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