Black-necked Crane Status, Breeding Productivity and Conservation in Ladakh, India 2000-2004 Black-necked Crane Status, Breeding Productivity and Conservation in Ladakh, India 2000-2004 Pankaj Chandan Archna Chatterjee Parikshit Gautam C M Seth Jigmett Takpa Salim-ul-Haq Phuntsog Tashi S Vidya Department of Wildlife Protection World Wide Fund for Nature-India Government of Jammu & Kashmir Published in June 2005 by WWF-India Recommended Citation: Chandan P, A Chatterjee, P Gautam, C M Seth, J Takpa, S Haq, P Tashi and S Vidya (2005) : Black-necked Crane -Status, Breeding Productivity and Conservation in Ladakh, India 2000-2004. WWF-India and Department of Wildlife Protection. Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Photo Credit : Pankaj Chandan/WWF-India Preface This report on Black-necked Crane is the result of intensive studies and surveys in the harsh and unique environment of Ladakh. There are several fi ndings which will be of great interest to ornithologists and particularly people working on cranes. The report takes into account the interest of the general reader and therefore has the fi rst two chapters accounting for general information on the cranes of the world and the Black-necked Crane respectively. The essence of the report lies in the chapter giving account of the survey observations from almost all the wetlands of eastern Ladakh, where the Black-necked Cranes are known to breed and feed. Such an exhaustive survey is the fi rst ever to be conducted in all the 22 wetlands in this region. The information generated from the current survey has been put in perspective against past studies and a detailed analysis has been carried out. The section on the threats to the breeding cranes and the fi nal chapter on recommendations should be of particular interest to conservation planners. This report puts into one place most of the important research related to status, breeding productivity and conservation of the Black-necked Crane in the Ladakh region of India. It is hoped that the report will not only be a source of reference for researchers but also will be of help to planners and other stakeholders in conservation and management of the species and its habitat. It is also hoped that this research will inspire further in-depth work on this unique species and the ecosystems that support it. Authors Black-necked Crane - 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, Indian Institute of Astrophysics; who guided us and facilitated the research at all stages. We would like to thank the Indian 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 Black- necked Crane. 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, WWF International and Leen de Jong, WWF – 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, WWF India. 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 WWF-India. 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 Executive Summary Ladakh dotted with some of the world’s most unique and spectacular wetlands, also holds the distinction of being the only known breeding ground of Black-necked Crane, Grus nigricollis in India. Few studies which formed the basis for this initiative, have touched upon only some aspects of the ecology of the cranes, the reasons for which could range from hostile climatic conditions to inaccessibility of the region. WWF-India has been working towards conservation of high altitude wetlands in the Ladakh region and has identifi ed the Black- necked Crane as a priority species owing to its critically endangered status. Under this initiative, WWF in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir conducted the study for fi ve consecutive seasons starting from May 2000 to November 2004 on the breeding population of Black-necked Crane and covered virtually all the potential wetlands in Ladakh. Regular surveys were conducted and the observations were analysed to fi nd out breeding success and productivity. The analysis was made using an established methodology and the results indicate that though the population seems to be increasing, the overall breeding productivity is declining. The increase in the population is due to the discovery of new breeding sites and populations and the decline in breeding success is due to increased human activities, and resultant secondary impacts, like direct killing by dogs as well as pressure on habitat because of unplanned developmental activities. The study indicates that incubation period and the fi rst few weeks after hatching are the most crucial periods in the breeding cycle of the Black-necked Crane in Ladakh. Thus, immediate measures need to be taken to ensure that no disturbance is caused to the birds during the breeding season, especially the incubation period. Contents Chapter 1 - Cranes of the World 9 Chapter 2 - Black-necked Crane 13 Chapter 3 - Study Background and Objectives 19 Chapter 4 - The Survey of Potential Wetlands – Observations & Results 25 Chapter 5 - Recommendations 49 References 53 Appendices 59 Chapter I Cranes of the World species the windpipe is long and convoluted. The Crowned Crane, however, lacks this development and consequently does not produce the trumpet-like calls, and sounds instead rather plaintive. Male and female are similar in size and plumage. They reach sexual maturity between three and six years of age, are monogamous and Introduction breed once a year. The elaborate Cranes are among the most threat postures, duets, dances and spectacular birds on earth that mutual proximity constitute the vital travel thousands of kilometres ingredients in the development of a without caring for boundaries strong bond between two birds who created by human beings. There are are believed to pair for life. 15 magnifi cent species of cranes At the onset of the breeding cycle, a throughout the world (Appendix crane pair defends against intrusion 1). They are amongst the tallest by other cranes, an acreage of fl ying birds and the Sarus of wetland or grassland - their Crane holds the avian record in breeding territory. They perform a this regard (Archibald et al. 1981). loud territorial duet known as the They are characterized by a long unison call, which also helps to neck and long legs. Between their synchronize the sexual cycle of the compact plumage and migratory mates and thus assure the fertility behaviour they manage to adapt of the eggs. The male and female to the cold and the seasonal fl ux are identical in plumage, the male quite successfully. Most species being slightly larger in size. During have distinctive coloured head and the unison call of most species facial features. These are usually the male gives a series of low long found in combinations of red calls while the female emits several plumage or exposed patches of shorter, higher notes. Listening and red skin, surrounded by black, grey watching them perform unison call and white plumage, occasionally is, in fact, the most reliable way to accompanied by pronounced determine the sex of most crane wattles and ornate crests. The Blue species. Crane is an exception and has the least patterned head compared to Having performed their spectacular other cranes. The feathering at the courtship displays, some crane rear of the head in the adults of this pairs renovate their nest of the species, however, is elongated, previous year, while some pairs giving them a distinctive bulbous build new nests next to the old appearance (Johnsgard 1983). ones, keeping a distance from The bills are long and straight their closest neighbour.