<strong>Black</strong>-<strong>necked</strong> <strong>Crane</strong> - Status, Breeding, Productivity and Conservation
Acknowledgements A study like this spanning over years under hostile climatic conditions and challenging terrain of Ladakh can never be successful without the whole hearted support of numerous individuals and organizations. We have tried our best to thank all those who have contributed in one way or the other, in making this study possible. We are greatly indebted to all the organizations, agencies and individuals in Ladakh, for their cooperation and support during various stages of the study. Our special thanks to Thupstan Chhewang, former Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), currently Member of Parliament from Ladakh; Rigzin Spalbar, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC; Tashi Dorje, former Deputy Commissioner, Leh; Sonam Lundup, former SDM, Nyoma; Mohd. Abbas, Forest Range Offi cer, Nyoma; M P Singh, Engineer, <strong>India</strong>n Institute of Astrophysics; who guided us and facilitated the research at all stages. We would like to thank the <strong>India</strong>n Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for their support and participation, which did not end with the study; the defence forces have pledged to continue supporting the conservation of <strong>Black</strong><strong>necked</strong> <strong>Crane</strong>. To name a few, Lt. Gen. Arvind Sharma, AVSM, VSM; Lt. Gen. M L Naidu, YSM, GOC 14 Corps; Maj. Gen N S Brar, COS 14 Corps; Daljeet Singh, former DIG, ITBP, Ladakh Sector and Brig. R K Shivrain, AVSM, who have been personally involved in this initiative. Our warm thanks to Col R T Chacko; Dr George Archibald; Otto Pfi ster; K S Gopi Sundar, Ashfaq Ahmed, Dr S A Hussain, Li Fengshan and Sherub for providing crucial and relevant literature, which facilitated the study and the preparation of this report. We are sincerely thankful to Dr Asad R Rahmani, Dr R S Chundawat, Qamar Qureshi and Dr Nita Shah for reviewing the manuscript and providing crucial comments and suggestions. We are also thankful to Dr Afi fullah Khan for his technical inputs during the study. We appreciate the help of Pushp Jain and Sikha Gosh for their editorial inputs. We are heartily thankful to Dr Biksham Gujja, <strong>WWF</strong> International and Leen de Jong, <strong>WWF</strong> – Netherlands for their support to the High Altitude Wetlands Conservation Project. The project team found continuous support and encouragement from Ravi Singh, CEO and Secretary General, <strong>WWF</strong> <strong>India</strong>. Our special thanks go to him. Our deep gratitude to Nisa Khatoon, Tashi Lashkit, Zarina Bano, Jigmett Tahi, Dawa Tsering, Dr Sandeep Behera, Dr Abhishek Bhatnagar, Srabani Das, Dr Harendra Singh Bargali, Saurabh Bhatia, Bachchu Singh and Trilok Chand of the Freshwater and Wetlands Programme team of <strong>WWF</strong>-<strong>India</strong>. Last but not the least we greatly appreciate the warmth and hospitality of the people of Ladakh which made the hostile conditions seem hospitable and our work possible. Authors