Three black neck crane arrived in Sangti valley, Dirang this year

ITANAGAR, The black necked crane which annually visits Sangti valley in West Kameng and Zemithang in Tawang during winter are increasingly reducing their number of days of stay prompting concern among environmentalists and wild life enthusiasts. They usually arrive in the first week of December in the Sangti valley and returns after one and half months of their stay. DFO Chukhu Loma appeal tour operator to guide the tourist not to created problem to them during the stay. 

With their habitat being threatened due to increasing human population settlement and cultivation the number of black necked crane arriving in the area is reducing with each passing year. “Earlier they use to stay for two months. But lot of picnic spots and homestays have opened up in the area where these birds take shelter during their stay. This has disturbed their habitation,” said Range Forest Officer (RFO) Dirang RS Gonpapa. He said there is need for greater awareness among the people to protect these birds and wildlife. 

This year three black necked crane arrived at Sangti on 28th November. “Unfortunately, due to disturbance created by tourists and picnickers, they left the Sangti after just two days of stay. Scared they fled to Jingkha which is few KM away from Sangti in Dirang circle However, at Jingkha also they faced same trouble from tourists and again came back to Sangti,” shared Lobsang Sherab, biologist and local resident of Sangti.

Further he shared that due to such disturbances the birds are leaving Sangti much earlier. “Last year two black necked cranes arrived and stayed only for 7 days. They are leaving quickly which is not a good sign. Also, with each passing year the number of migratory birds arriving has reduced,” said Lobsang Sherab. He urged authorities to manage the flow of tourists during the time black necked crane arrives. 

‘ we believe that coming of this species bring fortune for the locals and just after the harvest” this area is famous for the black neck crane. If such disturbance continue we may only have story to tell to our younger generation. He added.

DFO Bomdila, Chukhu Loma also shared his experience and said that due to huge flow of tourist these birds face threatening but need protection. He requested the tour operator and home stay operators to create awareness among the tourist not to create hurdles and disturbances to the black neck crane. 

Loma inform that we have also requested the local leaders and GBs of the area to protect the bird and allow the bird to stay more days which woud be good from the tourist point of view. Loma added. 

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