IF YOU want to save the Sarus, save its home.” This is how Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) director Asad R Rahmani made his point on the need to protect Sarus. “The bird’s home are the wetlands of the state. We need to understand that wetlands are not wastelands. Therefore, there is need for a separate policy on wetlands. It’s a must,” he pointed out.

Rahmani was talking to media persons during his one-day visit to Lucknow to attend the first meeting of the Sarus Protection Society of Uttar Pradesh, presided over by the Principal Secretary (Forests) V N Garg.

Rahmani lamented that it was unfortunate that the wetland was just a wasteland for the state government. He hailed the efforts of West Bengal for having promulgated a law for the protection of wetlands. “It is the only state in the country to have realized the significance of wetland,” he added.

About the wetlands and the need for their development, the environmentalist explained that it was not that every wetland needs to be protected, but wherever it is possible we should make an effort to protect it.

He said that there were approximately 8000 to 1000 sarus cranes in the world, and a major part of their population was in Uttar Pradesh. The two sub species of sarus cranes found in the world are Grus antigone antigone found in Indian subcontinent, and Grus antigone sharpii found in South East Asia and northern Australia.

On the issue of creating rescue centres for birds, the director said though the issue of shoddy handling of birds following seizures from illegal markets was very important, the BNHS is unable to take the task of constructing one as it has many projects in hands. However he said Forest Department and the NGOs should come forward and build such centres.

About the erosion of Jhaditaal, the only habitat of swamp deer in Kishanpur wildlife sanctuary, following the change of course by the river Sharda, he said that the issue was very serious, but a study would have to be undertaken whether to protect it with engineering or ecological method.

Over 1.5 acres of Jhaditaal land has been eroded by the river causing huge damage to the swamp deer habitation.