World’s Tallest Bird facing threat in Indore: Sarus Crane population down by 34%, indicators of ecology
World’s Tallest Bird facing threat in Indore+Sarus Crane population down by 34%, indicators of ecology
Sarus crane population falls by 34 per cent in Indore. The steep fall might soon land up the world’s tallest flying bird in endangered list soon.
As per IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Sarus crane is listed as vulnerable. “It is suspected to have suffered a rapid population decline, which is projected to continue, as a result of widespread reductions in the extent and quality of its wetland habitats, exploitation and the effects of pollutants,” IUCN noted.
In Indore, Yeshwant Sagar is a breeding ground of Sarus cranes and also harbors good numbers of avian species which outnumbered any of wetland around Indore region.
Every year, forest department with national wildlife conservation and awareness society (NCWAS) note the number of Sarus cranes at Yeshwant Sagar.
A congregation of Sarus cranes is usually seen in summers at Yeshwant sagar where they get food and water in the harsh summer time. Further, as Sarus crane mates for life, many young ones form this bond during summers at Yeshwant Sagar.
The survey and observation is conducted to ascertain the current status of the world’s tallest flying bird and to understand the changes going on in the land use pattern of wetland. Further, it helps to establish how it’s effecting the avian population and changes in ecology of area.
As a predator of small invertebrates and vertebrates, Sarus cranes have an important role in controlling these populations.
In the observations for 2022, the population of Sarus crane congregation witnessed drastic reduction.
“We found maximum of 50 numbers in all during above stated period, i.e. almost 34 per cent reduction from the last year when 76 numbers of Sarus cranes were spotted,” orthinologist Ravi Sharma heading the survey said.
• Too much of fishing activities at there, small- small pond were created for breading of fishes & transfer of water from main pond to there
• In main pond also large net fishing carried out
• In these small pond also they cross wired the nylon nets above the water so no birds come at there for any food/fish etc, we saw some of the birds carcasses were hanging on that nets
• Large scale vegetables farming on the dried field of Yeshwant sagar in summer & use of insecticides & pesticides for the same that have harmful effects on the avian & it also contaminate the water
• At Gulawat (part of Yeshwant sagar), fire broke in the summer due to which large numbers of bamboos were tuned into ashes, had also some impacts
• Too much tourist activities at Gulawat area that create disturbance to the birds
• To increase the tourism, two platforms with café area were installed in the pond which have major impact on the birds
• Engine boat also ferried in the pond that cause major disturbance to the birds
• Also illegal pouching of birds take place at there , which need to be checked else birds will be distracted from the area
• All these leads to major impact on the change in the ecology of the wetland
Suggestions to save Sarus cranes
• Authorities should check all the above points & curb these activities as Yeshwant sagar is also an IBA site which sustains good numbers of species of avifauna.
• Also the locals who reside around Yeshwant Sagar area should be given awareness about the protection/conservation of its wetland & its flora & fauna.
• Further comprehensive study of area and Sarus cranes need to be carried out
Sarus crane population falls by 34 per cent in Indore. The steep fall might soon land up the world’s tallest flying bird in endangered list soon.
As per IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Sarus crane is listed as vulnerable. “It is suspected to have suffered a rapid population decline, which is projected to continue, as a result of widespread reductions in the extent and quality of its wetland habitats, exploitation and the effects of pollutants,” IUCN noted.
In Indore, Yeshwant Sagar is a breeding ground of Sarus cranes and also harbors good numbers of avian species which outnumbered any of wetland around Indore region.
Every year, forest department with national wildlife conservation and awareness society (NCWAS) note the number of Sarus cranes at Yeshwant Sagar.
A congregation of Sarus cranes is usually seen in summers at Yeshwant sagar where they get food and water in the harsh summer time. Further, as Sarus crane mates for life, many young ones form this bond during summers at Yeshwant Sagar.
The survey and observation is conducted to ascertain the current status of the world’s tallest flying bird and to understand the changes going on in the land use pattern of wetland. Further, it helps to establish how it’s effecting the avian population and changes in ecology of area.
As a predator of small invertebrates and vertebrates, Sarus cranes have an important role in controlling these populations.
In the observations for 2022, the population of Sarus crane congregation witnessed drastic reduction.
“We found maximum of 50 numbers in all during above stated period, i.e. almost 34 per cent reduction from the last year when 76 numbers of Sarus cranes were spotted,” orthinologist Ravi Sharma heading the survey said.
This is surprising as water level was sufficient. “We also crosschecked other surrounding location where just a pair Sarus crane usually found in other time of year like Machal pond, Buranakhedi pond, Barodadault pond, and barely found a pair in Barodadaulat area,” Sharma said.
Hence, there was as such no evidence that of some of Sarus shifted to these locations of Indore region during this period. “So this reduction of numbers is great concern and red alert alarm which prompt for further need of study why that happening,” Sharma said.
Possible causes of reduction in Sarus Crane population• Too much of fishing activities at there, small- small pond were created for breading of fishes & transfer of water from main pond to there
• In main pond also large net fishing carried out
• In these small pond also they cross wired the nylon nets above the water so no birds come at there for any food/fish etc, we saw some of the birds carcasses were hanging on that nets
• Large scale vegetables farming on the dried field of Yeshwant sagar in summer & use of insecticides & pesticides for the same that have harmful effects on the avian & it also contaminate the water
• At Gulawat (part of Yeshwant sagar), fire broke in the summer due to which large numbers of bamboos were tuned into ashes, had also some impacts
• Too much tourist activities at Gulawat area that create disturbance to the birds
• To increase the tourism, two platforms with café area were installed in the pond which have major impact on the birds
• Engine boat also ferried in the pond that cause major disturbance to the birds
• Also illegal pouching of birds take place at there , which need to be checked else birds will be distracted from the area
• All these leads to major impact on the change in the ecology of the wetland
Suggestions to save Sarus cranes
• Authorities should check all the above points & curb these activities as Yeshwant sagar is also an IBA site which sustains good numbers of species of avifauna.
• Also the locals who reside around Yeshwant Sagar area should be given awareness about the protection/conservation of its wetland & its flora & fauna.
• Further comprehensive study of area and Sarus cranes need to be carried out