Black-necked Crane - WWF-India

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WWF-India initiated a conservation project: ‘Conservation of High Altitude Wetlands of Ladakh’ in the Indian Trans-Himalaya in 1999 with the support from the WWF network. The primary objective of the project is to develop a strategy and action plan (involving all stakeholders) for conservation of high altitude wetlands, particularly, Tsomoriri, Tsokar, Pangong Tso, Hanle and Chushul. These wetlands in the Changthang region of Ladakh are part of the Tibetan Steppe Plateau, one of the Global 200 Ecoregions identifi ed by the WWF network for priority conservation. These wetlands are extremely fragile ecosystems and have great importance as breeding grounds of unique and rare avifauna, especially the Black-necked Crane and Bar-headed Goose. The Changthang region was open to tourism in 1994. Since then the number of visitors has tremendously increased and so has their impact on the surroundings. Seasonality of toursim to the region compounds the impact. Increasing development in the area is another threat. The project was initiated by identifying the stakeholders-tour operators, the Indian Army and other paramilitary forces, local administration, schools, local communities etc. A series of consultations were held with each specifi c group to analyse their infl uence and impact and gain partnerships. Subsequently in July 2000, a National Consultation was held at Leh in which the scientifi c experts, Indian army offi cials, local NGOs, the district administration and local tour operators articipated. Immediately after this WWF-India established fi eld offi ces at Leh and in village Korzok near Lake Tsomoriri to carry on the project work. The Black-necked Crane was identifi ed as a species deserving special concern considering the small population that breeds in Pangong Tso 20 Black-necked Crane - Status, Breeding, Productivity and Conservation
Ladakh. A detailed survey of the status of this species was initiated. As a pilot study, data was collected on the status and breeding pattern of the species at selected wetlands. The study was enlarged into a more organized scientifi c one because of the importance of the species as an indicator of the health of wetland ecosystems. WWF-India and Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir conducted an intensive study of the population of Black-necked Crane at all the potential wetland sites in Ladakh following standard methodology. Study Area The study area is situated in Changthang region of Ladakh in India. The Himalayas extend for over 2500 km along the northern frontier of India in one giant sweep from the Nanga Parbat massif in the west to the Namche Barwa in the east. North of this high Tent of a nomadic family in the study area range lies the Tibetan plateau that was mostly formed as a result of tectonic upliftment of the Tethys Sea in the Miocene and Pliocene period (Wadia, 1966). The region is generally referred to as the Trans- Himalaya and is a cold desert. The vegetation in the region is sparse and productivity peaks only in the short summer season. This harsh environment is thus home to only highly adaptable fl ora and fauna. The Tibetan plateau region is very vast and within India extends for 1,84,823 sq km in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh with small portions extending into Sikkim and Uttaranchal mountains. Ladakh is part of the Trans- Himalayas of the Tibetan Plateau. This area, a cold desert, is interspersed with high altitude plains, green patches of marshy meadows (with Carex and Caragana often interspersing these), willow plantations near habitations and sparse vegetation. The terrain is extremely rugged with high cliffs and exposed rocks. The present study was conducted in eastern Ladakh commonly known as Changthang and is characterized by arctic conditions, wind-swept desert and barren hills. The Changthang region lies at 4000 m and above. The soil is sandy or sandy loam. Borax deposits in the dried marshy areas and around wetlands is a common feature. Strong and unpredictable winds make the area highly inhospitable. The single most characteristic feature of the region is the dryness (Sapru and Kachrroo 1976). In summer the temperature ranges from 0º C to 30º C and the winter temperature is between –10º C to – 40º C (Mishra and Humbert- Droz 1998). This region has numerous wetlands - brackish as well as freshwater. Apart from their hydrological importance, the wetlands are Ladakh Region India | 2000-2004 21
Page 1: Black-necked Crane Status, Breeding
Page 4 and 5: Published in June 2005 by WWF-India
Page 6 and 7: Black-necked Crane - Status, Breedi
Page 8 and 9: Executive Summary Ladakh dotted wit
Page 11 and 12: Chapter I Cranes of the World
Page 13 and 14: is often used to signal exchange of
Page 15 and 16: Chapter 2 Black-necked Crane
Page 17 and 18: studies need to be done to make com
Page 19 and 20: Nesting activity at all sites in La
Page 21: Chapter 3 Study Background and Obje
Page 25 and 26: in the area. A joint expedition of
Page 27 and 28: Chapter 4 The Survey of Potential W
Page 29 and 30: Black-necked Crane Distribution in
Page 31 and 32: Except for Kyun Tso 1 Kyun Tso 2 an
Page 33 and 34: Threats • Tourists camping around
Page 35 and 36: Nomads with their livestock in the
Page 37 and 38: Camps near wetland during religious
Page 39 and 40: This year the pair shifted their ne
Page 41 and 42: STAKLUNG Staklung is a vast fl at a
Page 43 and 44: A pair of crane with chicks at Chus
Page 45 and 46: at Chushul marshes. The details of
Page 47 and 48: Crane Observation at Lungparma Mont
Page 49 and 50: Result & Analysis - Breeding Produc
Page 51 and 52: Chapter 5 Recommendations
Page 53 and 54: Faral dog near the wetland approach
Page 55 and 56: References
Page 57 and 58: Chacko R T (1994) : A Summer 94 Stu
Page 59 and 60: Meinertzhagen, R (1927) : Systemati
Page 61 and 62: Appendices
Page 63 and 64: Appendix II Black-necked Crane Obse
Page 65 and 66: Appendix V Banding of Black-necked
Page 67 and 68: Source: The Cranes, WWF-India publi

Black-necked Crane - WWF-India

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