The Hindu : Other States / Rajasthan News : Revival plan for Siberian cranes gets a boost

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Friday, Nov 26, 2004

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Other States - Rajasthan

Revival plan for Siberian cranes gets a boost

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, NOV. 25. The Rajasthan Government has agreed to tie up with the International Crane Foundation and other similar conservation NGOs on a revival plan for the flock of Siberian cranes visiting the Keoladeo Ghana National Park at Bharatpur. The absence of the lily-white, critically endangered crane species from the Ghana marshes -- their only known abode in India-- since 2001 has taken sheen out of the world- famous wetland.

"We cannot afford to miss the chance for the revival of the Siberian cranes' visits to Ghana,'' says R. P. Kapoor, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Rajasthan. "The State Government has to be alive to the chances of some other States taking away the initiative,'' he observed.

Mr.Kapoor had led officials who held talks with a visiting team from ICF the other day. "Wetlands in Gujarat or in Etawah and Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh too are suitable for the experiments. Once the wetland is decided the captive bred Siberian cranes would be guided to fly to that locality only till the route is established and the birds are able to reach own their own,'' George Archibald, the co-founder of the ICF, who led the negotiations with the Rajasthan officials here said.

"It would be better if the birds are brought to Ghana. They have been traditionally reaching there all these years,'' Dr.Archibald said indicating that his talks with the State officials had a positive outcome. "We have to make a written proposal now to the State in this regard,'' he informed. The experiments are likely to start sometime next year. One major thing for the State to settle before start of the revival programme would be the health of the Ghana wetland, now uncertain with no permanent source of water to inundate its marshes. "We have three options before us. To reserve a portion of water from Paanchna dam for the Park or to go for additional water for from the Chambal river which is already supplying drinking water to Bharatpur. The third option is to dig more tube wells in the Park itself,'' Mr.Kapoor said.

"The State Government has its own financial constraints. The international agencies should come forward to help as Ghana is a World Heritage site. Private participation also can be sought,'' he noted.

The efforts made here are part of the global initiatives being taken to protect the wild Siberian cranes which are facing a serious threat. Out of the three known flocks of the species, flying out of their breeding grounds in Siberia, the one arriving at Ghana seemingly has perished while the ones winter in Iran have been reduced to just three. The flock which is wintering in China is said be around 3,000. Besides, there are 200 Siberian cranes bred in captivity.

The revival package includes a proposal to keep captive-bred Siberian cranes either to zoos or to some enclosed areas. In the early nineties Keoladeo Ghana had some such birds, bearing the names Billy, Bushy, Gorby and the like which had become immensely popular with the visitors. Curiously enough it is said that none of the zoos in the country has a Siberian crane. The Rajasthan Forest Department is seemingly open to a suggestion to keep the captive bred Siberian cranes at the National Biological Park at Nahargarh near here.

Please note: A photograph of George Archibald on the occasion of a lecture programme on Siberian cranes here was sent by e-mail yesterday.Regards

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