Among the avian migratory spectacle, the Black-necked Cranes (also known as ‘Trung-Trung Karmo’) hold a unique position due to their annual journey from Tibet and China’s Xinjiang province to Arunachal Pradesh in India. Their migration patterns, survival adaptations, cultural significance, and conservation status have piqued the interest of researchers and bird enthusiasts alike.
Migration Pattern and Breeding Habitats
Every winter, the Black-necked Cranes journey to India’s Arunachal Pradesh from their original habitats in Tibet and Xinjiang province of China. In India, these birds primarily use Sangti Valley in West Kameng district and Zemithang of Arunachal Pradesh as their wintering sites. Apart from this annual journey, these cranes also breed in Ladakh, a region in the northern part of India, and Bhutan.
Cultural Significance
Apart from being a marvel of the avian world, the Black-necked Cranes hold a significant place in the religious beliefs of the Monpas, a major Buddhist ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh. To the Monpas, who approximate a community of about 1 lakh individuals, these cranes embody the spirit of the sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso. Hence, these birds are held in high reverence and form an integral part of their cultural ethos.
Conservation Status
Despite the respect that the Black-necked Cranes command among the locals, they are not immune to the dangers posed by environmental changes and human activities. That’s why they are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which offers the highest legal protection to birds and wildlife in India. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), on its part, has included these cranes in its Red List of Threatened Species and classified them as ‘vulnerable’.
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Grus nigricollis |
| Family | Gruidae |
| Average Length | 139 cm |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Legal Protection | Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 |
