Nesting behaviour and current threats to the Indian Sarus Crane around Alwara Lake of District Kaushambi (U.P.), India

The Indian Sarus crane (Grus antigone antigone) is a monogamous, graceful water bird, well known as an eternal symbol of unconditional love, devotion and good fortune with a high degree of marital fidelity. Its occurrence represents a healthy wetland ecosystem. A systematic study was conducted from June 2019 to May 2020 in the villages adjoining the Alwara Lake of district Kaushambi (Uttar Pradesh), India to explore the nesting behaviour and current threats to the Sarus crane. During the study, a total number of 43 nests were encountered in the study area. The nests were seen on large wetlands, uplands, paddy fields, scattered irrigation ditches, adjoining areas of Lake etc. around the human settlements. These birds preferred to use local flora in constructing the nests, many of them with medicinal values. The main threats include the egg destruction by predator animals and indirect anthropogenic activities; however farmers tolerate the cranes nesting in their productive sites, despite the considerable crop damage.