Sarus crane population in Maharashtra rises to 34 in 2025; Gondia leads with 30 birds
Chandrapur: The population of the majestic Sarus crane — the tallest flying bird in the world — has risen to 34 in Maharashtra, as per the 2025 Sarus bird census. This marks a slight increase from last year's count of 28.
The encouraging rise is largely attributed to the continued conservation efforts in Gondia district, which alone recorded 30 Sarus cranes, followed by Bhandara district with 4.
The census was carried out, across 53 identified habitats in Gondia district and 18 habitats in Bhandara by the forest department in collaboration with the nature-based NGO 'SEWA' (Sustaining Environment and Wildlife Assemblage) and SEAT (Save Ecosystem and Tiger) respectively.
A day earlier Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh — which shares ecological features with Gondia and is located immediately across the state boarder — recorded a healthy count of 48 Sarus cranes, reinforcing the significance of trans-boundary conservation efforts between Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
The counting teams comprised of forest officers, NGO volunteers, local farmers, and Sarus Mitras (Sarus friends), who formed 35 groups in Gondia from 4.45am to 9am, focusing on roosting and foraging sites.
Nearly 150 participants took part in the census in Gondia this year.
Efforts were made to avoid double counting, especially in overlapping zones near rivers and wetlands that straddle both states. Special attention was given to data validation, ensuring accurate, science-based tracking of bird movements, breeding sites, and habitat preferences.
Over the years, Gondia has emerged as a vital Sarus habitat in Maharashtra.
Between 2012 and 2025, continuous monitoring and local community involvement have played a key role in sustaining their population. The SEWA team and forest department officials regularly visit breeding grounds, farmlands, and wetlands throughout the year to record data on nesting and migration patterns.
However, challenges persist. While six nests were recorded in 2024 in Gondia, only two were successful, primarily due to human disturbances and habitat degradation.
Experts have raised concerns about the declining quality of wetland habitats and called for urgent restoration and protective measures.
In Bhandara, the census was conducted with the help of around 25–30 local teams, marking the first sighting of two distinct Sarus pairs, a positive sign for the district. Similarly, Balaghat's sustained conservation initiatives since 2012, involving farmers and local volunteers, have helped stabilise and grow its Sarus population over the years.
Sawan Bahekar, President of SEWA that actively participated in the census, emphasised that the habitat of the Sarus crane is not only shrinking but also deteriorating in terms of its ecological integrity. This degradation directly hampers the species' breeding success and is likely to have serious consequences on biodiversity and the broader ecological system in the near future. "In 2024, six nests of the Sarus crane were recorded, but due to human interference or environmental changes, eggs in four of them failed to survive," he said.
DCF, Gondia, Pramod Panchbhai underlined the an urgent need to protect the existing habitats of the Sarus crane, undertake habitat restoration, and identify and develop new conservation zones. "Mere observation is not enough — what is required is effective action, strategic planning, and active participation of local communities in a well-coordinated manner," he emphasised.
He also stressed the need for coordinated efforts between districts and across state borders to conserve shared habitats, particularly in areas adjoining the Wainganga and Bagh rivers, which see free movement of Sarus pairs across both sides.
The forest department and SEWA have expressed gratitude to all volunteers, field workers, local farmers, students, and Sarus Mitras for their tireless efforts.
Sarus Crane Status (2025 Census )
District — Number
Gondia (Mh) 30
Bhandara (Mh) 04
Balaghat (MP) 48
Maharashtra: 34
Count in Gondia
Year — Birds
2020 — 45
2021 — 39
2022 — 34
2023 — 31
2024 — 28
2025 — 30
Count in Bhandara
Year — Birds
2020 — 02
2021 — 02
2022 — 03
2023 — 04
2024 — 04
2025 — 04
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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Sarus crane population in Maharashtra rises to 34 in 2025; Gondia leads with 30 birds
Chandrapur: The population of the majestic Sarus crane — the tallest flying bird in the world — has risen to 34 in Maharashtra, as per the 2025 Sarus bird census. This marks a slight increase from last year's count of 28. The encouraging rise is largely attributed to the continued conservation efforts in Gondia district, which alone recorded 30 Sarus cranes, followed by Bhandara district with 4. The census was carried out, across 53 identified habitats in Gondia district and 18 habitats in Bhandara by the forest department in collaboration with the nature-based NGO 'SEWA' (Sustaining Environment and Wildlife Assemblage) and SEAT (Save Ecosystem and Tiger) respectively. A day earlier Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh — which shares ecological features with Gondia and is located immediately across the state boarder — recorded a healthy count of 48 Sarus cranes, reinforcing the significance of trans-boundary conservation efforts between Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The counting teams comprised of forest officers, NGO volunteers, local farmers, and Sarus Mitras (Sarus friends), who formed 35 groups in Gondia from 4.45am to 9am, focusing on roosting and foraging sites. Nearly 150 participants took part in the census in Gondia this year. Efforts were made to avoid double counting, especially in overlapping zones near rivers and wetlands that straddle both states. Special attention was given to data validation, ensuring accurate, science-based tracking of bird movements, breeding sites, and habitat preferences. Over the years, Gondia has emerged as a vital Sarus habitat in Maharashtra. Between 2012 and 2025, continuous monitoring and local community involvement have played a key role in sustaining their population. The SEWA team and forest department officials regularly visit breeding grounds, farmlands, and wetlands throughout the year to record data on nesting and migration patterns. However, challenges persist. While six nests were recorded in 2024 in Gondia, only two were successful, primarily due to human disturbances and habitat degradation. Experts have raised concerns about the declining quality of wetland habitats and called for urgent restoration and protective measures. In Bhandara, the census was conducted with the help of around 25–30 local teams, marking the first sighting of two distinct Sarus pairs, a positive sign for the district. Similarly, Balaghat's sustained conservation initiatives since 2012, involving farmers and local volunteers, have helped stabilise and grow its Sarus population over the years. Sawan Bahekar, President of SEWA that actively participated in the census, emphasised that the habitat of the Sarus crane is not only shrinking but also deteriorating in terms of its ecological integrity. This degradation directly hampers the species' breeding success and is likely to have serious consequences on biodiversity and the broader ecological system in the near future. "In 2024, six nests of the Sarus crane were recorded, but due to human interference or environmental changes, eggs in four of them failed to survive," he said. DCF, Gondia, Pramod Panchbhai underlined the an urgent need to protect the existing habitats of the Sarus crane, undertake habitat restoration, and identify and develop new conservation zones. "Mere observation is not enough — what is required is effective action, strategic planning, and active participation of local communities in a well-coordinated manner," he emphasised. He also stressed the need for coordinated efforts between districts and across state borders to conserve shared habitats, particularly in areas adjoining the Wainganga and Bagh rivers, which see free movement of Sarus pairs across both sides. The forest department and SEWA have expressed gratitude to all volunteers, field workers, local farmers, students, and Sarus Mitras for their tireless efforts. Sarus Crane Status (2025 Census ) District — Number Gondia (Mh) 30 Bhandara (Mh) 04 Balaghat (MP) 48 Maharashtra: 34 Count in Gondia Year — Birds 2020 — 45 2021 — 39 2022 — 34 2023 — 31 2024 — 28 2025 — 30 Count in Bhandara Year — Birds 2020 — 02 2021 — 02 2022 — 03 2023 — 04 2024 — 04 2025 — 04
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
For Sarus, hope glides over drying waters of Dhanauri wetland
The Dhanauri wetland lay subdued under the amber haze of early evening, its once-teeming waters now reduced to scattered pools glinting faintly beneath a sky tinged with the orange of the setting sun. The usual symphony of bird calls had dwindled to a quiet murmur, as if the wetland itself had grown weary of being ignored. Into this fading light stepped Anand Arya, 78, a seasoned birder long credited with discovering this very wetland. Though retired from active birding and advocacy for nearly five years, the alarming news of Dhanauri's decline had stirred something deep within him. When Hindustan Times asked him to visit the site once more, he agreed—not out of obligation, but out of love. He wanted to see for himself what had become of the sanctuary he once championed. An hour passed in silence. Then, just as the light softened into gold, a long, throaty call rang out from the distance. It was faint, but unmistakable to a trained ear. Arya stopped. 'That's Sarus,' he said without hesitation, eyes scanning the horizon. The call repeated, slightly closer now. 'Oh, come out now. Don't make us wait. It's just me,' he called softly, with the gentle familiarity of someone greeting an old friend. Half an hour later, they arrived. A pair of Sarus cranes—tall, stately, with slow, deliberate wingbeats—glided in and landed near a shallow pool. In the next few minutes, more followed. Soon, at least four pairs stood scattered across the wetland, their red heads stark against the dull greens and browns of the land. For a place thought to be falling silent, the moment felt almost defiant. 'This wetland isn't gone yet,' Arya said quietly, his gaze fixed on the birds. The Sarus had returned. And for now, so had Dhanauri. Just two weeks earlier, the wetland on the south of Greater Noida had all but dried up, causing alarm among birders and conservationists across Delhi-NCR. Social media threads filled with images of cracked earth and abandoned nests. But a week of rain and an urgent intervention—reopening a vital irrigation channel—brought water back, and with it, a tentative pulse of life. For years, birders and activists have demanded that Dhanauri be officially notified as a wetland under Indian law—something that, astonishingly, still hasn't happened. They also want it declared a Ramsar site under the international convention that provides legal protection to wetlands critical to biodiversity. But caught in bureaucratic limbo, Dhanauri's status remains unclear. The Sarus crane, listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is the tallest flying bird in the world. India is home to the world's largest population of Sarus cranes, most of them in Uttar Pradesh, where the bird is also the state symbol. But its habitat is shrinking—threatened by expanding agriculture, urbanisation, and water mismanagement. At Dhanauri, these dangers have become acute. Discovered around 2014 by a group of birders, the site isn't a classic wetland ringed by forests or fed by rivers. It began as a depression among wheat fields where runoff water lingered, creating a shallow marsh. That accidental geography proved perfect for the Sarus. At its peak, birders reported over 150 Sarus cranes gathered here—possibly the highest number seen together anywhere in India. Nikhil Devasar, one of the organisers of Delhi-NCR's annual Big Bird Day, said the region has long been a delight for birdwatchers but is now visibly degraded. 'This is where the Sarus belt begins, stretching from Dhanauri into western Uttar Pradesh,' he said. 'They need shallow water to build nests. Letting it dry completely is catastrophic.' The decline, however, isn't entirely natural. A key water channel that fed the wetland was recently blocked—allegedly to divert water elsewhere. Birders say this pattern repeats: water is withheld during summers and restored only after outcry. In this case, pressure from conservationists pushed the irrigation department to reopen the sluices. 'It is common for wetlands to dry up in the summer, but this one cannot be allowed to dry completely,' Arya said. 'It is a Sarus nesting site. They need water, even shallow water, throughout the year.' The push to protect Dhanauri gained urgency in 2011 when the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) proposed a highway that would cut through the wetland. After protests, the alignment was shifted, but the road still runs dangerously close. Development pressures have not relented. 'We stopped the worst-case scenario,' said Devasar. 'But threats remain. Water hyacinth is spreading. Fields and buildings are closing in. The wetland is shrinking.' Arya has sent a report to the Union environment ministry, urging Ramsar recognition. The forest department ratified his recommendation and pegged the core wetland at 25 hectares—though environmentalists say the full ecological zone, including buffers, spans more than 40 hectares. Under the Ramsar Convention—signed in 1971—a wetland can qualify for international protection if it meets at least one of several ecological criteria. Dhanauri, advocates say, meets at least three. It supports vulnerable species like the Sarus crane, Black-necked stork, and Painted stork. It regularly hosts over 20,000 water birds, and it is believed to support more than 1% of the global Sarus population. Globally, IUCN estimates the Sarus crane population at around 15,000. Birders say they have counted more than 150 at Dhanauri in a single outing—clear evidence, they argue, that this site is critical. After the sluices reopened on May 1, birders returned. What they saw offered hope. Veteran birder Suryaprakash spent over two hours that day and counted 40 Painted storks, two dozen Woolly-necked storks, eight Black-necked storks, and five Sarus cranes. 'There were also ibises, spoonbills, egrets, even larks and prinias,' he said. 'This place still supports rich birdlife. But how long will that last without protection?' Both he and Arya believe that beyond formal designations, Dhanauri needs year-round water and a barrier against urban sprawl. But legal protection would give it a fighting chance. Some lessons may be drawn from Uttar Pradesh, where the Sarus Protection Society was set up during the Etawah airport construction in 2013. Partnering with the Wildlife Trust of India and Tata Trusts, the state supported 'Sarus Mitra' groups—volunteers trained to protect nests and monitor cranes. Through these efforts, the Sarus population rose from 12,000 in 2013 to 15,000 by 2018. Could that model work for Dhanauri? 'Absolutely,' said Suryaprakash. 'But first, it must be recognised for what it is: a sanctuary—not just for birds, but for what remains of Delhi-NCR's wetland ecosystem.' As the sun dipped below the horizon, the cranes stood silhouetted against the sky, their tall bodies reflected faintly in the water. In that moment, the wetland felt unmissably alive—but precariously so. Whether Dhanauri survives may depend less on rainfall, and more on how urgently the state acts to protect what is left. For the Sarus, time is running out.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Honest & dedicated green engineers
The brown-headed barbet or large green barbet is an animated bird of our gardens. Known in native cultures as the 'Bada basanta', the barbet sets off an incessant call, kor-r-r, kutroo-kutroo-kutroo, with the first whiff of basant's warmth. The call is instantly responded to by others of the barbet 'baradari' and soon an ear-piercing chorus resounds across the groves, somewhat reminiscent of faraway and dreaded sirens of Covid lockdown and the Pakistani drone/ missile crisis! The barbet and the woodpecker are two of the ecological or ecosystem engineers in our groves. They excavate nest holes in trees. Other birds such as parrots, owls and mynas look for nest holes excavated by woodpeckers and barbets as they themselves do not have the wherewithal such as powerful large bills and shock-absorber adaptations to their skulls. Barbets can also avoid the very arduous task of hole drilling by grabbing a nest cavity freshly drilled by a woodpecker! Both the barbets take turns to drill the nest hole and later share in incubation duties. Between two to four eggs are laid by the female and the nesting season is normally in the months of March to May. The nest is sometimes bare at the bottom of the hole or lined with some of the wood chips carved out by the parents. Anuj Jain, an apparel retailer of Sector 17 and an accomplished wildlife photographer, has had the good fortune of barbets nesting right opposite his Sector 18 residence. 'In March 2020, during the Covid lockdown, I spotted a barbet spitting out wood chips while excavating a nest in a tree right in front of my house. I was fortunate to capture a few photos at the time. It wasn't until more than five years later that I witnessed something similar again. This time, a pair was taking turns preparing their nest. One would spend less than five minutes chiseling the wood, while the other waited right at the entrance, ready to switch. It was mesmerising to watch the dedicated parents work tirelessly through the day to make the nest suitable for future progeny,' Jain told this writer. The myth of the Sarus pair In a social era of relationships breaking down all too soon, a sensitive artist can despair at human reality. The rupture with the ideal of long, enduring relationships particularly when it comes to marital fidelity is all too evident. Manifestations of nature may seem to nurture the waning human ideal. An oil on canvas by Mumbai artist Pradeep L Mishra displayed a richness of colour and vividly evoked the Sarus coupling, whose life seems one of perfect unison. His work, Live to Love, was on display at the exhibition, Art through Print and Paint --- An exploration of how artists engage with materials and how textures, layers, and processes shape meaning. The exhibition was curated by the AIM Gallery and staged at the Government Museum and Art Gallery. 'My works seek inspiration from nature's themes. My concerns stemming from contemporary human social life affect me deeply and reflect in my works. Why can't we seem to have enduring relationships? Why are we causing each other so much unhappiness by not adjusting to each other? I painted the Sarus pair to showcase how these birds form enduring bonds, which has inspired folklore and cultural themes,' Mishra told this writer. The twist in the artist's pictorial tale is delivered by real birds. Scientific data collection and field observation disproves popular folklore and reveals cases of divorce (separation) in Sarus cranes. Wild cranes can remain paired for life, but they can engage in extra-pair mating, too. Mate change is known in almost all crane species in captivity, some of whom are similarly anointed with the myth of 'I'll be loving you eternally'. vjswild2@
