SECURING THE SIBERIAN CRANE FLYWAYS

 THE ROLE OF THE BONN CONVENTION

2002The tragic extinction of Siberian Cranes in

India

Sharp decline in Siberian Crane numbers since the 1980s

 1984-85 41

     1990-91 10

      1993-94 00

      1994-95 00

1995-96 04

     2001-02 02

Keoladeo National ParkThe Last Refuge of the Siberian Cranes

Keoladeo National Park at Bharatpur

Siberian Crane

• The most specialized of all cranes

• Dependent on shallow wetland habitats on its migration cycle

• Extremely sensitive to disturbance

Siberian

CraneFlyway

s 

Western Flock

1978-98 9-14 2006 22007 1

Eastern Flock

1980s 800-15002005 3000-3500

Central Flock Unconfirmed Sightings

Current Status -Critically Endangered (IUCN A3cde). -Total Population: Around 3000.-Mostly confined to the Eastern Population.

 

Major Threats 

Over-utilization and disturbance from hunting, fishing, trapping, logging and grazing

Reclamation for agriculture

Overuse or diversion of water resources

Development of oil and gas fields

Construction of dams and other forms of river regulation

Degradation of Watersheds

Convention on Migratory Species

Siberian Crane MOU

• Signed by 11 range countries

• Partnered by ICF and Wetlands International

• Conservation Plan launched in 2001

Objectives of the Conservation Plan

Conduct research and monitoring to improve understanding of Siberian Crane ecology

Objectives of the Conservation Plan

Increase population numbers and genetic diversity

Objectives of the Conservation Plan

Reduce direct and indirect mortality of Siberian Cranes

Objectives of the Conservation Plan

Improve habitat protection and develop a flyway wetland site network

Objectives of the Conservation Plan

Improve public awareness and information exchange

Objectives of the Conservation Plan

Strengthen national and international cooperation

Global Environment Facility Project

The Siberian Crane Wetland Project (SCWP) began in 2003 The Siberian Crane Wetland Project (SCWP) began in 2003

Promotes integrated wetland conservation on Eastern and Promotes integrated wetland conservation on Eastern and Western flywaysWestern flyways

Activities Under the SCWP-GEF Project (Site Level)

• Sustainable livelihood projects

• Strengthening legal protection and enforcement

• Site level management plans

• Capacity building for site management

• Education and public awareness programs.

 

Activities Under the SCWP-GEF Project (National Level)

• Strengthen the national legislative framework

• Strengthen capacity for international co-operation

• Support site conservation through monitoring, training, education and public awareness programs.

Activities Under the SCWP-GEF Project (International Level)

Building capacity for the co-ordination of flyway networks of wetlands

Strengthening the capacity of the Site Network’s activities in China and Yakutia

Future Possibilities

 

Expanding SCWP-GEF Project to the Expanding SCWP-GEF Project to the Central FlywayCentral Flyway

Integration of Afghanistan, Pakistan Integration of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India into the projectand India into the project

Arresting the degradation of Arresting the degradation of wetlands in Afghanistan particularly wetlands in Afghanistan particularly Ab-I-EstadaAb-I-Estada

Addressing the issue of hunting in Addressing the issue of hunting in Afghanistan and PakistanAfghanistan and Pakistan

Ab-i-Estada, Afghanistan

Future Possibilities

Studying alternative routes/methods of allowing Siberian Cranes to reach Bharatpur

Expanding the network of safe wintering sites for Siberian Cranes in Northern India 

Future Possibilities

Studying alternative routes/methods of allowing Siberian Cranes to reach Bharatpur

Expanding the network of safe wintering sites for Siberian Cranes in Northern India 

2017- At Bharatpur!!!