Why in News?
Ladakh hosted its first-ever Black-necked Crane Festival to highlight the conservation of the Black-necked Crane and the importance of Ladakh’s wetlands as its breeding habitat. The Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary is the only known breeding habitat of the species in India.
The festival brought together conservationists, researchers and experts from India and abroad to promote awareness and conservation of this threatened species.
About Black-necked Crane
The Black-necked Crane is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Among the 15 species of cranes found in the world, the Black-necked Crane is regarded as the only alpine crane.
In India, the species breeds in the high-altitude wetlands of Changthang in Ladakh, particularly around Tso Kar, Hanle and other wetlands located at elevations of approximately 2,500–5,000 metres above sea level.
The global population of the Black-necked Crane is estimated at around 16,000 individuals, distributed mainly across India, Bhutan, Nepal and China.
The Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary plays a crucial role in the conservation of the species because it provides its only known breeding habitat in India.
The Black-necked Crane has considerable ecological, religious and cultural significance in Ladakh. Following the formation of Ladakh as a Union Territory, it was officially declared the State Bird of Ladakh. Earlier, it had also been the State Bird of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The bird is considered sacred in Ladakh, and its arrival during the summer breeding season is traditionally regarded as a good omen and a symbol of peace.
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