Black-necked Crane

Black-necked Crane

 

Why in news?

Recently, the union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change informed the Lok Sabha about the important steps taken to protect Black-necked Crane by the government.

 

Relevance:

GS-03 (Species, Conservation)

 

About Black-necked Crane:

• Scientific name: Grus nigricollis
• IUCN Status: Near Threatened
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed in Schedule I
• CITES : Appendix I
• It is a medium-sized crane.

 

Distribution and habitat :

• Chiefly in the high-altitude Tibetan plateau.
• Largest numbers found in China followed by Vietnam, Bhutan and India.
• Important habitats in India:  Changthang Sanctuary and Tso Kar Wetlands Complex in Ladakh.
  • As per a survey conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India in 2016-2017 in the Ladakh region, the population size of black-necked cranes was around 66-69 individuals.
  • In Arunachal Pradesh, a small population of approximately 11 individuals arrives during the winter months.