Sarus Crane population declining in Kanchanpur and Kailali amid habitat loss and chemical use

May 22, Kathmandu: The Sarus crane, a majestic bird once commonly sighted in the wetlands of Kanchanpur and Kailali, is facing a steep population decline, with numbers dropping by approximately 20% over the past decade in these regions, according to the Nepal Bird Conservation Society (NBCS).

The destruction of wetlands for agriculture, coupled with increased use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, has significantly reduced the cranes’ habitat and food sources, pushing this vulnerable species toward an existential crisis.

Hirulal Dagaura, an ornithologist with NBCS, reports that only 5 Sarus cranes were recorded in Kailali and 22 in Kanchanpur during the 2024 annual survey, down from 10 and 35, respectively, a decade ago. “The loss of wetlands to farmland and the heavy reliance on chemical pesticides are starving these birds and destroying their breeding grounds,” Dagaura explained. Additional threats include illegal hunting, egg stealing, climate change, and environmental pollution.

The Sarus crane, listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and protected under Nepal’s National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029, is a vital ally for farmers. By feeding on insects harmful to crops, such as locusts and beetles, the cranes naturally reduce pest infestations, potentially boosting agricultural yields. However, their dwindling numbers threaten this ecological balance.