The population of Sarus cranes is trending upward, according to U.P. officials, who anticipate a boost in numbers in 2023. Positive results from the first census wave are seen in the forest divisions.
Following the conclusion of the first round of a two-day Sarus census on Friday, officials stated that the population of the Sarus crane, which was designated as the state bird of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) in July 2015, has been expanding and that this trend is projected to continue.
The number of Sarus cranes was 17329 in 2021, 19188 in 2022, and 19522 in 2023, according to the forest department survey counts. This trend is anticipated to continue this year as well.
“It’s true that we expect the Sarus crane numbers to go up this year as well,” an official stated, adding that the survey’s second phase prevented them from reflecting the final numbers.
“We carried out the first phase of the counting on June 20 and 21 in the bird sanctuaries and forest areas where these birds frequent,” stated Sanjay Shrivastav, principal chief conservator of forests for U.P. The morning and evening counts were taken twice a day. We are ready to start the second phase, which include ground trooping by forest rangers and forest officers who also ask the general public about sightings of Sarus.
Since all of the data must be gathered from various districts and ranges, the procedure takes a while. Because of this, it might take a few more days before the numbers are announced,” he stated.
The west U.P. trends are promising.
Authorities attested to observing a little rise in the number of birds in the Bijnor and Meerut forest districts.
A total of 146 adult and minor cranes were observed during the survey in the Bijnor division, according to officials, while 47 adult and 4 minor cranes were tallied in the Malipur section of the Bheekund wetland, Draupdi Ghat, and Sikanderpur forest area of the Hastinapur forest range in Meerut.
According to these survey results, the population of Sarus cranes in the Meerut forest division had increased by six individuals since the June 2023 survey, while the Bijnor forest division had added seven new members since the December 2023 study.
Maximum 53 cranes were observed in the Amangarh region, 37 in the Nageena forest range, 20 in Bijnor and Dhampur, 11 in Nazibabad, and 5 in Chandpur, according to Sub Divisional Officer Gyan Singh of the Bijnor Forest Division. The survey is completed by employees of the forest department, volunteers from WWF India, NGOs, and educational institutions.
Concerning Sarus
*The head and neck of adult sarus cranes are red, but their body and feathers are gray in color.
Males and females have the same color beaks, which are long, pointed, and green, however the males are typically larger than the females.
During breeding season, the male’s red color on his neck and head grows more vibrant. Young sarus cranes are brown, but as they become older, their color changes. Juveniles have a brown head covered in feathers, and the lower portion of their beak is yellow.