Wetlands as the Preferred Roosting and Breeding Site of Sarus Crane, *Grus antigone* (Linneaus, 1758)

*Sarita Rana and Harsh Gulati*

#### **Abstract**

Indian Sarus Crane, *Grus antigone* a world's tallest flying bird. The present study was conducted from November 2019 to October 2020 in the Dhanauri wetland. A total of 71 individuals of Sarus crane were noted. Consisted of 59 adults and 12 juveniles. A study found that the maximum number of Sarus Crane was found to perform roosting (53%) and nesting (15%) activities in wetland areas as compared to other habitats Wetlands perform several ecological functions such as groundwater recharging, maintenance of balance between drought and flooding situations, nutrient cycle, and also conservation of biodiversity. Wetland encroachment will also be detrimental in near future. If the encroachment will remain, then there may be risk of the disappear of wetland areas resulted in imbalance in the nature. The importance of preserving and promoting the ecosystem of wetlands cannot be over emphasized for the sake of agriculture, water conservation and the economy. In the present study it is investigated that human activities are using wetland area for different purposes like, construction of houses, roads, agricultural land and overfishing etc. In view of this finding, it can be suggested that regular monitoring of the bio-parameters and recording the changes, if any, should help maintain the natural vibrancy of the valuable natural assets of marshlands in Uttar Pradesh.

**Keywords:** Sarus crane, wetlands, roosting, breeding, Dhanauri wetland

#### **1. Introduction**

Indian Sarus Crane, *Grus antigone* a world's tallest flying bird [1–3]. These birds are monogamous and believed to mate for life and suffer the loss of their mates even to the point of starving to death [4]. Due to their habitat destruction, their number is declining gradually, and also listed as vulnerable species as per the IUCN red list of threatened species [5]. It is the only species of breeding crane in India [6]. These birds mainly prefer to live in a habitat like a wetland, marshland that is covered with water during monsoon season, plenty of paddy rice fields, and grassland [7, 8]. Wetlands play a critical role in maintaining many natural cycles and supporting a wide range of biodiversity. They purify and restock our water, and provide the paddy and fishes that feed millions. They serve as a natural sponge against drought and

flooding, protect our shorelines and help fight climate change. Wetlands are particularly important providers of all water-related ecosystem services. They regulate water quantity, groundwater recharge, and can contribute to regulating floods and the impacts of storms. Wetlands also help in erosion control and sediment transport, thereby contributing to land formation and increasing resilience to storms. All these ecosystem services improve water security, including security from natural hazards and climate change adaptation. Wetlands are the major habitat for most of the world's waterbirds and key habitat for migratory species. Almost all of the world's waterbirds use wetlands as feeding and breeding grounds. Migratory water birds use wetlands throughout their range which can sometimes literally be from pole to pole. The feeding, breeding and stop-over areas across and between continents that migratory birds depend on requires coordinated wetlands conservation efforts among many nations. Sarus Crane is considered a flagship species that residing a large wetland covered by agricultural land [9]. These birds are omnivorous, and mainly prefer to feed on insects, small fishes, frogs, and some aquatic plants and seeds as well [3, 6]. Sarus cranes generally make association during the pre-monsoon and winter seasons [3, 10]. Among North India, Uttar Pradesh holds the largest population of this species unfortunately intensive data collection is not available for the state. Wetlands perform several ecological functions such as groundwater recharging, maintenance of balance between drought and flooding situations, nutrient cycle, and also conservation of biodiversity [11, 12]. Sarus cranes usually spend most of their time in wetlands to get respite from extensive heat in summers. They congregate into large groups, prior to breeding season in wetland habitat. Bursting with biodiversity, wetlands are a vital means of storing carbon. Wetlands are also tremendously productive ecosystems that provide a myriad of services to society worldwide. Due to the shrinkage of wetlands, they generally prefer to forage on agricultural crops. The present study was carried out to collect information about the preference for wetland habitat by Sarus Crane during breeding and a non-breeding season in Dhanauri wetland, Uttar Pradesh which is one of the favorite sites of these cranes. Continued population declines of many species of aquatic birds indicate the need for additional understanding of how human activities negatively impact water quality and bird populations and what mitigative actions can be taken.
