Conservation of the threatened Sarus Crane Grus antigone (Linnaeus, 1758) around Alwara Lake in Kaushambi District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study deals with the distribution and conservation of the globally threatened Sarus Crane Grus antigone in Alwara Lake of district Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It proved to be an important site since the lake under investigation was totally unexplored from the conservation point of view. Hence it was aimed at protecting the habitat of this threatened bird species by suggesting conservation measures through rural masses and policy makers. Birds were recorded in all the three transects of the lake surveyed by the authors, however, their relative abundance varied in each transect. A total of 487 cranes was actually observed, although more cranes were claimed to exist in this area by the local people. Cropland habitat harboured the maximum number of cranes. A positive correlation was observed between the crane numbers and the area of agricultural land. The authors recommend continuous population census of this species and declaration of the entire lake zone as a conservation area.