Traditionally found in wetlands, the Sarus crane has adapted to co-exist with humans, increasingly relying on agricultural fields for feeding and breeding
The Indian Sarus Crane, the tallest flying bird in the world. Photo Courtesy: UPL
The ‘Tenth Annual Sarus Crane Count’ has revealed the presence of a total of 1,477 Indian Sarus Cranes, according to the latest count by UPL.
The survey was conducted June 21, which coincided with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The summer solstice aligns with the period when most wetlands and marshes dry up, leading to large congregations of Sarus cranes around perennial water bodies, which provides a unique opportunity to accurately assess the population, according to the release.
The 2025–26 count reflects a 195 per cent increase, according to the study, since the baseline year of 2015–16 owing to sustained conservation efforts that highlights the importance of continued habitat protection and community engagement.
The Indian Sarus Crane, the tallest flying bird in the world, is classified as vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Traditionally found in wetlands, the Sarus crane has adapted to co-exist with humans, increasingly relying on agricultural fields for feeding and breeding. However, the loss and degradation of wetland habitats remain key drivers of its population decline.
In response, UPL had launched the Sarus Conservation Program in 2015, focusing on grassroots engagement. The team worked closely with farmers to correct misconceptions and behavioural attitudes through education and voluntary participation. This collaborative model has been instrumental in fostering co-existence and protecting habitats for the Sarus crane.
Rishi Pathania, vice president - CSR, UPL, said, "UPL’s Sarus Crane Conservation Program reflects our enduring commitment to biodiversity conservation. Over the past decade, our collaborative approach - rooted in community engagement and scientific monitoring - has significantly enhanced habitat conservation for Sarus cranes while nurturing local stewardship. Kheda and Anand districts have shown a remarkable rise in Sarus crane numbers, reflecting the success of sustained conservation efforts. Today, Gujarat proudly hosts the second-largest wild Sarus crane population in India, a testament to our efforts and a driving force to progress."
Speaking on the count, Dr. Jatinder Kaur, program manager, UPL Sarus Conservation Program, said, “To better understand the population dynamics and habitat preferences of Sarus cranes, we conduct the Annual Sarus Count. This year’s survey revealed a significant shift in congregation patterns, with notably higher numbers observed in agricultural fields compared to wetlands - likely influenced by recent rainfall altering habitat conditions.
The 1,477 Sarus cranes, including 147 sub-adults, were documented across 199 villages in 18 talukas. The largest congregation was recorded in agricultural fields at Limbasi and Vastana, with 153 cranes. Major wetland congregations included Ozralla (86 cranes), Pariej (69 cranes), and Traj (65 cranes).
Notably, six breeding pairs were observed nesting during the summer season, successfully hatching eight juveniles - suggesting a potential shift in the Sarus crane’s breeding behaviour. Also, a pair of Sarus cranes with one subadult was recorded for the first time in Jambusar—an encouraging sign of the species’ expanding range. Continued monitoring, habitat protection, threat mitigation, and community engagement remain vital for the long-term survival and growth of this vulnerable species.”
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