Home / Environment / Hope for Tallest Bird: Cranes Increase at Ramsar Site
Hope for Tallest Bird: Cranes Increase at Ramsar Site
13 Jul
Summary
- Sarus crane numbers increased by 22% to 36 at Yashwant Sagar Ramsar Site.
- NGO urges action to protect nesting zones and ban disruptive activities.
- Ecosystem threatened by commercial farming, unregulated tourism, and encroachment.
The sarus crane population at Yashwant Sagar Ramsar Site has seen a significant increase, with the latest summer survey recording 36 cranes. This marks a 22% rise from the previous year's count of 28 and signals a hopeful reversal of a five-year downward trend.
Despite this positive development, the current number is still below the peak of 76 recorded in 2021. In response, an ornithologist has urged local authorities to implement a comprehensive protection strategy using designated Ramsar funds. Key recommendations include creating a dedicated research center and prohibiting disruptive activities.
The ecosystem of Yashwant Sagar faces multiple threats. These include commercial exploitation through soil digging and pesticide use from farming, restricted bird foraging due to extensive fishing practices, and disturbance from unregulated tourism with viewing platforms and boat operations.
Further contributing to the ecological pressure are encroaching residential townships extending to the wetland's boundaries. These developments, along with drainage lines, pose a risk of long-term contamination, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
