Population Status of Indian Sarus Crane (<I>Grus antigone antigone</I>) in Gujarat State

Abstract

The study conducted between 1997 and 2000 by GEER Foundation has shown that Sarus population in Gujarat State is around 1,700 individuals. Majority (about 84%) of the Sarus population (1,456) in the State is concentrated in Kheda and Ahmedabad Districts in Central and North Gujarat respectively. Kheda has the highest population (737 Cranes) in the State, whereas Ahmedabad District has the second-highest population (719 Cranes). Matar Taluka in Kheda District and Viramgam Taluka in Ahmedabad District support the highest population among all the talukas in the respective districts. Surendranagar, Valsad and Mehsana Districts also support moderately good population of the Crane. With respect to the population of the C:rane in the State in the year 1984, the present Sarus population is fractional.