Anand: In the 2023-24 season, the Ninth Annual Sarus Crane Count recorded a total of 1,431 Sarus cranes, marking a significant increase of 186% since 2015. The summer solstice aligns with the period when most wetlands and marshes dry up, leading to large congregations of Sarus cranes at the remaining perennial water bodies, providing a unique opportunity to accurately assess the population. The census was conducted in Kheda and Anand districts.

Major congregation sites included Narda Wetland with 293 Sarus cranes, Traj Wetland with 189, Pariej Wetland with 155, and Gobarapura with 74 cranes. The effort covered 164 villages across fifteen talukas of both districts.

The count was a collaborative effort involving 99 volunteers from various groups, including 23 from Rural Sarus Protection Groups, 28 UPL employee volunteers, 7 staff members from the Social Forestry Division of Nadiad and Anand, 18 volunteers from the Voluntary Nature Conservancy, 8 students and professors from local colleges, and 12 government school teachers.

UPL Ltd., a global provider of sustainable agricultural solutions, conducted the Ninth Annual Sarus Crane Count.

The Indian Sarus Crane, the tallest flying bird globally and categorized as vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, traditionally inhabits wetlands and shares spaces with humans. It relies on agricultural fields for feeding and breeding. The decline in the number of wetlands and the deterioration of existing habitats are considered to be the main reasons for the Sarus’ decline.

Mr. Rishi Pathania, Vice President of CSR at UPL Ltd., said, “The Sarus Crane Program is a testament to UPL’s commitment to species conservation. his initiative in Kheda and Anand districts has helped Gujarat hold the second-highest wild population of Sarus cranes in India, and we have seen a 186% rise over nine years.”