The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department recently visited a person in Mandka village, Amethi to relocate a sarus crane, the State bird, to Raebareli’s Samaspur Bird Sanctuary. Sarus crane is a non-migratory bird found in parts of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It is the tallest flying bird in the world and is known to mate for life with a single partner. However, the Sarus crane faces numerous threats and is listed in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the IUCN Red list: Vulnerable.
About Sarus Crane:
The Sarus crane is a large, non-migratory crane found in parts of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It is the tallest flying bird in the world and stands up to six feet tall. The Sarus crane is a social creature, found mostly in pairs or small groups of three or four. It is known to mate for life with a single partner, and both parents take care of their young ones.
Threats to the Sarus Crane:
The main threat to the Sarus crane in India is habitat loss and degradation due to draining the wetland and conversion of land for agriculture. Wetlands are the primary habitat for Sarus cranes, and as these wetlands get drained and converted to farmland, the bird’s natural habitat is destroyed. Other threats to the Sarus crane include:
- Hunting and poaching for its meat and feathers
- Pesticides and other chemicals used in agriculture
- Climate change leading to changes in wetland habitats and food availability
Conservation Status:
The Sarus crane is listed in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, which provides penalties for hunting, poaching, and trade of the bird. The bird is also listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red list, which means it is at a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Relocation of the Sarus Crane:
The relocation of the Sarus crane from Mandka village to Raebareli’s Samaspur Bird Sanctuary by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department is a positive step towards conservation efforts. By relocating the bird to a sanctuary, it will have access to a safe and protected habitat, which will help increase its chances of survival. The Samaspur Bird Sanctuary is a wetland habitat and is home to many migratory and resident bird species. It is an ideal location for the Sarus crane as it provides a safe and suitable environment for the bird.
Why In News
The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department visited a person to relocate a Sarus crane, the State bird, from his home at Mandka village in Amethi to Raebareli’s Samaspur Bird Sanctuary. The Sarus crane was likely in danger due to habitat loss and degradation in its original habitat, making the relocation an essential step towards the conservation of the species.
MCQs on Conservation of Sarus Crane in India
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What is the main threat to the Sarus crane in India?
A. Hunting and poaching
B. Climate change
C. Habitat loss and degradation
D. Predation by other bird species
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Which schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 is the Sarus crane listed in?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
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Which bird sanctuary was the Sarus crane relocated to by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department?
A. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
B. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
C. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
D. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
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