Conservation and Management of Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo at Kheechan in Rajasthan

Abstract

This chapter describes a wonderful migratory bird of the western Rajasthan, the Demoiselle Crane. Found at Kheechan village in Jodhpur district, this is the second most abundant population of the world’s cranes. The love for Demoiselle Crane and their conservation is engraved in the religion, culture, and attitude of people of Kheechan. This chapter also narrates the history of population of these cranes in 1930s and a tremendous increase of the population to 11,500 (±10%) in the year 2004–2005. Field researches, including first tourism survey done in 2004–2005 and the capacity building document, are discussed in brief. Conservation issues like unscientific management due to ignorance of people about the Demoiselle Crane ecology, lack of scientific research, unorganized tourism, drying up of ponds at times, naked electric cables causing death of some cranes every year, and lack of medical care for sick and injured birds have been discussed in this chapter. Observations and records of more than a decade provide a good insight into the ecology of the Demoiselle Crane at Kheechan. A 10-point action plan for strengthening conservation and scientific management of Demoiselle Crane at Kheechan by the local communities, a pilot study was carried out by WWF India during 2003–2005 to speed up community conservation efforts. Potential suggestions for conservation management plan are also given in this chapter.