82 sarus cranes sighted in Gondia, Balaghat during census

Nagpur: The four-day annual estimation exercise of sarus cranes in Bhandara, Gondia and the adjoining Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh has recorded 82 birds.
Of the tallied birds, there is no change in Gondia and Bhandara with sighting of 35 and 2 cranes, respectively. Last year too the number was same in both the districts. In Balaghat, 45 birds were recorded.
The exercise in Gondia, Bhandara and Balaghat has been nicked named as ‘Saras Scape’. In Maharashtra, sarus cranes are not found in any district.
The estimation was conducted by 50 volunteers under the group Sustaining Environment & Wildlife Assemblage (SEWA) from June 11 to 14. Other NGOs which were part of the exercise included Gondia Nisarg Mandal, Nagzira Foundation and Eco-Pro. District administration and forest department supported the project.
According to convener of ‘Saras Scape’ Sawan Bahekar, 50 spots in Gondia and Bhandara were scanned. This included roosting and breeding places near agriculture fields, river beds, lakes and other habitat areas.
Bahekar says while three new records of cranes were found, last year there were three unidentified deaths probably due to poisoning and electrocution.
“As the sarus cranes have a huge territory, it is imply difficult to count them. Volunteers had to catch the birds at their roosting sites by reaching there at 5am,” says Bahekar.
“With the majestic birds found only in Gondia and Bhandara in Maharashtra, a demand will be made to the authorities to enhance protection measures,” Bahekar said.
Sarus cranes are listed in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and their status is ‘Vulnerable’ on IUCN Red List. Though the life cycle of these birds is 70-75 years, due to habitat destruction their numbers are dwindling drastically.