Status, Distribution and Habitat Preference of Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone) in Western Part of Nawalparasi District, Nepal

Abstract

The Sarus crane (Grus antigone antigone) is one of the threatened species of birds. Its population has been declining in many parts of Indian sub- continent including Nepal. Present study was carried out to assess status, distribution and habitat preference of the Sarus Crane in the Nawalparasi district. Road transect surveys methods were used to collect data on the Sarus Crane, its habitat and nest characteristics from April, 2005 to January, 2006. The conservation threats were analyzed by field surveys and questionnaire surveys. The frequency distribution of Sarus Crane was 280, 257 and 202 in pre-nesting, nesting and post nesting period respectively. The Sarus Cranes are uneven in distribution. The population size of Sarus Crane was fluctuated from 13 to 18 individuals with mean of 14.7 and very low density (0.059/km2). The Sarus Crane was found to use all available habitats, but preferred wetlands for foraging and nesting followed by grasslands and cultivated lands. The frequency of the Sarus Crane activities was highest in wetland (62.78%) followed by cultivated land (33.42%) and grassland (3.78%). Of the total nest recorded during the study, 4 were in the wetlands, 2 in cultivated land and 1 in grassland. The mean length, breadth and height of nest were 121.23cm, 101.41cm and 20.29cm respectively. The Sarus crane facing threats such as land use change, lack of awareness, use agro-chemicals, over exploitation of wetland resources, sugarcane cultivation and disturbances in the foraging and nesting places. Population monitoring, further research, raising of awareness among the local people, protection and restoration of wetlands and discourage the people to use agro chemical are some of the ways to save the Crane in the Nawalparasi district.