Saras Bird Crane
– Photo : Agency (File Photo)
Expansion
Cases of deadlock between wildlife and humans are being seen in the world. On the other hand, in Kheda district of Gujarat, on the contrary, there is a positive view of harmonious symbiosis between the endangered crane and the villagers. In the last five years, the population of Sarus bird, the state bird of Uttar Pradesh, has almost doubled here.
UPL’s CSR Head Rishi Pathania says that where there were only 500 cranes five years ago, now their population has increased to more than 992. Under the Stork Conservation Project, 88 Rural Stork Protection Groups are working in 40 villages. So far, through this project, 23000 students and 5000 villagers have been educated on how to conserve storks and the environmental benefits associated with them. This project is a successful example of collective effort to save the population of an endangered species. Kheda Forest Department official Dilip Singh Dabhi says that we will continue this project further with the help of UPL.
Stork became farmer’s friend, children stopped flying kites
Earlier farmers in Kheda district used to consider stork as their enemy as it used to damage crops. But now the farmers have made the stork their friend too. Not only this, children have also stopped flying kites to save the stork. Actually, many stork birds used to get wounds due to kite strings, due to which many birds also died. But with the collective efforts of Mumbai-based company UPL, Forest Department, Gir Foundation and the villagers, the days of the stork are over.
Storks play an important role in the conservation of wetlands
The Indian crane, the largest flying bird in the world, is fast disappearing. They play a very important role in the conservation and health of the natural heritage and wetlands. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has placed them on the red list due to the continuous dwindling population of storks and the continuous exploitation of their natural habitat wetlands. At the same time, endangered birds are also protected under the Wildlife Protection Act.
