Vol. 17 No. 2 (2002): February
Paper

Status of Sarus Crane Grus antigone antigone in Rajasthan and its ecological requirements

Published 2002-02-21

Abstract

Sarus Crane Grus antigone antigone once had its distribution range from the Himalayan foothills to the Godavari plains in the south.  Today their disribution is fragmented.  The paper presents a review of the study conducted on the status and habitat of Sarus cranes in Rajasthan.  Rajasthan and adjoining districts of Madhya Pradesh were surveyed, and complemented by handouts and questionnaire surveys on status, breeding sites and number of adults.  The results showed that a total of 332 birds were present in the study are aof which 139 pairs were with  a sub-adult, juvenile or chick and 54 birds were young ones.  The adult/juvenile ratio was 19.4% which is good compared to other states which have Sarus cranes.  it was noticed that the cranes preferred wetlands close to croplands.  The cropfields were normally within a radious of 1000m from the wetland that harboured Sarus Cranes.  During the survey 73% of the birds were seen inundated fields, marshes or near water body and 27% were in fallow, harvested fields.  Wheat, maize and soys bean were preferred by the cranes.  Marshes and reedbeds close to the canals are nesting sites of these birds.  Awareness programmes are recommended for villagers who inadvertently destroy Sarus Crane habitats.