SECURING THE SIBERIAN CRANE FLYWAYS THE ROLE OF THE BONN CONVENTION

2002 The tragic extinction of Siberian Cranes in India

Sharp decline in Siberian Crane numbers since the 1980s

Keoladeo National Park The 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 Crane Flyways

Western Flock

Eastern Flock 1980s

Central Flock Unconfirmed Sightings

Current Status - Critically Endangered ( IUCN A3cde ). -Total Population: Around 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 Promotes integrated wetland conservation on Eastern and Western 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 Networks activities in China and Yakutia

Future Possibilities Expanding SCWP-GEF Project to the Central Flyway Integration of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India into the project Arresting the degradation of wetlands in Afghanistan particularly Ab-I-Estada Addressing the issue of hunting in Afghanistan 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!!!