International Journal on Environmental Sciences 6 (2) : 323-327, July-December 2015 Review Article

(ISSN No.: 0976-4534)

Status and Ecology of Indian Sarus Crane,

Grus antigone antigone in and around the
Alwara Lake of District Kaushambi (U.P.)
1 2 2
ASHOK KUMAR VERMA , SHRI PRAKASH AND SUNIL KUMAR
1
Dept. of Zoology, Govt. P.G. College, Saidabad Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
2
Department of Zoology, K.A.P.G. College, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

Received: 07 October 2015; Revision: 20 October 2015 Accepted: 28 November 2015

ABSTRACT

The sarus crane is well known for its ability to live in association with humans, inhabiting open,
cultivated, well watered plains, marshlands and lakes. The best common site for sarus crane
population growth is areas mixed with natural wetlands in the landscape and traditional major
crop sites including paddy fields. These areas suit them for foraging, roosting and nesting. Sarus
crane is an omnivorous bird. They feed in shallow water on marshes, berries, seeds, roots,
tubers, invertebrates, butterflies, grasshoppers, insects, fishes, frogs, reptiles and eggs of birds.
Sarus crane is the largest of the crane species found in India.

The sarus crane (Grus antigone) belongs to phylum: Chordata, class: Aves, order: Gruiformes and
family: Gruidae. Present study is aimed to explore the ecology and status of the sarus crane in
modern context in and around the Alwara lake of Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh. Present
study will not only help to attract the biologists for detailed exploration of the said lake but also
draw attention for making and implementing the effective strategy for the conservation of this
crane.

Key words: Sarus crane, anthropogenic activities, vulnerable, conservation, Alwara lake.

INTRODUCTION dance of the sarus has undoubtedly led to the

The Indian Sarus Crane Grus antigone antigone
(Linnaeus, 1758) is the world's tallest flying bird
(Archibald et al., 2003) and is the only resident
breeding crane in India (Mukherjee et al., 2002).
Its population is comparatively more in Uttar
Pradesh than other states. It is the world's biggest
flying water bird and is declared as State Bird by
the Government of Uttar Pradesh for its
conservation.
The name “Sarus” has its origin from Sanskrit
word- 'sarasa', which means 'lake bird' and the
species getting the name. The skin of this bird
was first studied and described by Carolus
Linnaeus who named it as antigone in 1758. The
term 'antigone' refers to a female character in
Greek philosophy, famous as a rebellious
daughter of the King Oedipus. There was a myth
that cranes pair for life and in the event of the
death of one bird the other dies beside the dead
body of its mate. This myth has been prevailing
around for centuries and Linnaeus was aware of
this aspect when he named the species.
The population density of sarus crane is

Corresponding author: sriprakasht80@gmail.com

323
324 Status and Ecology of Sarus Crane.....
inseparably associated with wetland habitats.
Several investigators have tried to study
different aspects of sarus crane (Sundar 2011;
Sundar et al. 2012; Mukherjee et al. 2002; IUCN
2012; Clements et al. 2013).
The Indian sarus crane has been listed as globally
threatened i.e. vulnerable avian species (Bird Life
International 2012) because of its declining
numbers. Reasons behind this decline include
decline in habitat quality, exploitation, pollution,
competitors, parasites etc. The increased
anthropogenic activities, changed use of land and
degradation of wetlands for agricultural
expansion as well as for industrial development
are the most serious threats to the cranes (Gole,
1989; Parasharya et al., 1989). As a consequence,
the species has suffered a rapid population
decline within a few decades (Choudhary 1999).
Image 1: The location of the study area.
Present study is therefore aimed to explore the
ecology and status of this sarus crane in modern
context in and around the Alwara lake of
Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh.
STUDY AREA AND ITS CLIMATE
The lake under exploration is a natural lake and
now a part of important perennial wetland. It is
surrounded by agricultural fields and connected
to the river Yamuna and covers about several
hectares. In this lake, the water level falls during
summer and winter but rises during rainy
season. The lake has derived its name from
village Alwara. Locally it is called Alwara Taal.
The Alwara lake is surrounded by Paur Kashi
Rampur in east, Tikara in the north, Shahpur in
the south and the river Yamuna in the west.
324
JULY-DECEMBER 2015
The Alwara lake is located in Kaushambi district
of Uttar Pradesh. The lake is 75 km away from
Allahabad, 25 km from Manjhanpur
(headquarter of district Kaushambi) and 290 km
from Lucknow by road. Its nearest railway
station is Bharwari at a distance of 35 km and
nearest airport Bamrauli (Allahabad) is at a
distance of 70 km. It is situated between the
latitude 25o24'05.84”S – 25o25'10.63”N and
longitude 81o11'39.49”E-81o12'57.95”W with
altitude MSL – 81.08 meter.
Its weather is tropical to subtropical with some
variations over the year. Winter season occurs
between late October and February but mid
December to mid January is the season of severe
cold and irregular appearance of fogs. Spring
season occurs usually from mid February to end
of April. Summer season comes in the month of
March and ends in late June. It is marked by high
velocity winds including heatstroke. In local and
vernacular language it is called loo, which is a
strong, hot and dry summer afternoon wind from
the west which blows over the western Indo-
Gangetic plain region of North India. It is
especially strong in the months of May and June.
Rainy season starts from late June to early
October. Approximately 350 mm rainfall
observed annually but irregularity in rainfall is
also noticed year wise which influences the
landscape ecology of the lake. Autumn season
commences in mid October and ends in late
November. Temperature shows with high
fluctuation over the year and noticed
determinant parameters of this landscape.
Image 2: A view of Alwara lake.
International Journal on Environmental Sciences 6 (2)
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The authors used binocular, camera, motorbike,
chappu boat, field stick etc. for various
purposes. The findings are based upon the work
conducted between January and December,
2013. Investigations were conducted in morning
hours from 7.00 am to 9.00 am and evening
hours from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm during our
routine field trips. All the observations were
made while moving through the chappu boat
and walking along the croplands, mud lands,
natural areas using binoculars (7x35 and 8x40-
BEZIF BM-9). Sights and calls were the devices
to enlist a bird at a particular site.
Identification of different species was aided by
using standard guides such as Ali (1941), Wild
Life Institute of India wetland research
methodology (1999) and Aryal et al, (2009).
Besides actual sightings, inquiries from local
Image 3: Survey of lake by Chappu Boat.
Image 5: Sarus crane in pair.
325
ASHOK KUMAR VERMA et al., 325
people were also made to ensure the estimate of
existing population and their perceptions about
the existence of the crane. Census was avoided
during rainy days as possible. Population
comparison was determined as a single, pair,
pair with one juvenile, pair with two juveniles
and flocks comprising adults and juveniles.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Sarus is a social bird and during study period
they have been seen in pairs or with juvenile or
in congregation (sometimes singly). The family
group occurs in whole year but during non-
breeding season, the congregation of sarus are
reported up to 200 (Gole, 1991a) for mate finding
or pair formation. These are involved in social
displays to facilitate the pairing of unmated
birds and to establish a pecking order among
families. Male attracts the female to display
dance like movement.
Image 4: Sarus crane in solo (single).
326 Status and Ecology of Sarus Crane.....
Prakash et al, (2014) reported 487 cranes from
September 2011 to December 2012 in three
different transects of Alwara lake and argued
that from ecological point of view this site is very
favourable for sarus crane distribution. They
reported 335 sarus cranes in and around the
Alwara lake in 2012 but surprisingly present
exploration and investigation collected a data of
425 cranes in the same study area during the
period of 12 months in 2013. Such a large
number is creating a positive hope that declining
population of sarus crane will definitely
increase. The reason behind the increase in
population of this water bird is due to openness,
suitable agricultural land and seasonal marshes
dominated over the climatic factors and
occurrence of favourable ecological, feeding,
mating and nesting conditions as well.
Image 6: A view of Alwara lake
showing endangered lotus
At the same time, authors found some
endangered plant species also such as lotus. The
lotus or Indian lotus or sacred lotus is a symbol of
Indian cultural heritage, deeply associated with
Hindu mythology, art and culture. The Indian
lotus is the National Flower of India.
CONCLUSIONS
In general, the sarus cranes are at the verge of
extinction globally due to widespread
reductions in the extent and quality of their
wetland habitats, exploitation and the effects of
pollutants, unplanned farming, irrigation and
non-adoption of wild life rules and regulations
326
JULY-DECEMBER 2015
as well. The main challenge is to maintain their
original or unaltered natural habitat as a result of
one or more anthropogenic activities including
pollution, agricultural expansion, use of
pesticides, removal of soil for various purposes,
removal of vegetation, land encroachment,
fishing and unplanned development. Due to its
declining number, Indian sarus crane has been
now listed as globally threatened i.e. vulnerable
avian species (Bird Life International 2012).
In contrary, the number of sarus crane is found
increased in and around the Alwara lake during
the period of 12 months in 2013 as compared to
2012. Such a large number is not only creating a
positive sign that declining population of sarus
crane will definitely increase but also important
for ecological balance. This is happening only
because of favourable environmental conditions
for sarus crane in and around the Alwara lake.
As such the authors have initiated a public
awareness campaign through farmers to save
this species from becoming extinct and
recommend the declaration of the entire lake
zone as a conservation area through applicable
and effective policy. There should be a
protection of wetlands to provide additional
habitat for sarus cranes by controlling
sedimentation of the wetlands. Sundar (2006,
2011), Clements et al. (2013) have conducted
detailed studies on this threatened species and
proposed direct reward for the protection of
biodiversity as an effective tool for delivering
conservation outcomes in a way that also
delivers developmental benefits to the local
people.
The authors recommend continuous population
census of this species and declaration of the
entire Alwara lake region as a “Sarus Safe Zone”
for the conservation of sarus crane with regular
monitoring. Measures should be taken to
minimize the huge exploitation of natural
resources of the Alwara lake.
International Journal on Environmental Sciences 6 (2)
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