Abstract
The Sarus Crane Grus antigone antigoneis categorized as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List (2016). In India, it lives outside the protected area network and is dependent on human support and peaceful coexistence for its survival. United Phosphorus Limited Sarus Conservation Project was initiated in Gujarat in 2015, with the objective of documenting the status of the species in Kheda and Anand districts, along with identification of important roosting, breeding, and congregation sites in these areas, and investigating the threats to this species and its habitats. Through a web of awareness programmes and with the active involvement of farmers and volunteers in 36 villages, 110 awareness campaigns were held in schools of rural areas. We also formed 83 Rural Sarus Protection Groups (RSPG) in 32 villages of Kheda district. As a result of this programme, Sarus numbers increased from 500 in 2015 to 726 in 2018. Incidence of nesting increased from 28 nests in 2015 to 48 in 2018 (an increase of 71%). Eleven new nesting locations were documented in 2018. The volunteer groups protected 50 nests, leading to 78 successful fledglings.References
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