Sarus Cranes: A Symbol of Natural Beauty and Ecological Importance
PHNOM PENH, Dec 22 (Bernama) – Sarus cranes are not just a symbol of natural beauty, they are now critical in Cambodia’s wildlife narrative. Once hunted by poachers, these majestic birds are breathing new life into one of their favourite homes in Kampong Trach in the eastern part of the Kingdom.
The Sarus Crane: A Majestic Bird
The Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone), the tallest flying bird at over 1.5 metres tall, redefines its role in Cambodia’s ecology and economy. Donning a red patch on their necks that adds elegance, these birds are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild due to rapid urbanisation, lack of wetland habitats, human exploitation, and the effects of pollutants.
A Deal with Local Farmers
Interestingly, Sarus Cranes have struck a deal with local farmers to protect their wetland habitat and food supply during the winter. The innovative Crane RiceTM idea was initiated by NatureLife Cambodia in 2021 to encourage the recovery of the Sarus Crane in Kampong Trach.
Benefits for Farmers and Sarus Cranes
The birds are now helping farmers improve their income by allowing their images to be printed on rice bags, which can be sold at a premium price in the local market – about 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent higher than normal rice. Farmers, in return, support the well-being of Sarus Cranes by setting aside part of their paddy for the birds to feed on, using fewer pesticides in their paddy fields and avoiding encroachment on protected areas or stealing their eggs.
Conservation Efforts
NatureLife Cambodia’s Chief Executive Officer, Bou Vorsak, told Bernama that this threatened species are important to the ecology but facing a dramatic decline in Indochina and Southeast Asia in the last decade. According to last year’s census, they declined from 1,000 to 480 birds, particularly in Vietnam and Thailand. However, he said Cambodia still maintains a healthy wild population with 180 birds.
The Crane Rice Initiative
"So we created the Crane Rice initiative to benefit Sarus Cranes and the local community. The aim is to provide a safe habitat for the Sarus Cranes in the rice fields, and safe food as they feed on particular varieties of rice native to the area," said Vorsak. "We provide premium prices for the community that collaborates with us and they must follow some strict criteria like no hunting, leaving five per cent of rice after harvesting for the Cranes to eat, reducing chemical use by at least 30 per cent (in their rice fields) and applying sustainable agriculture techniques."
Conclusion
The Sarus Crane is a majestic bird that plays a critical role in Cambodia’s ecology and economy. The Crane Rice initiative is a innovative approach to conservation that benefits both the birds and local farmers. By protecting the Sarus Crane’s habitat and food supply, we can ensure the long-term survival of this threatened species.
FAQs
Q: Why are Sarus Cranes important to Cambodia’s ecology?
A: Sarus Cranes are important to Cambodia’s ecology because they can alert the health of the ecological system in areas like grasslands or rice fields where they forage.
Q: What is the Crane Rice initiative?
A: The Crane Rice initiative is a program that allows farmers to print images of Sarus Cranes on rice bags, which can be sold at a premium price in the local market. In return, farmers must follow strict criteria to protect the birds’ habitat and food supply.
Q: How many Sarus Cranes are left in Cambodia?
A: According to last year’s census, Cambodia still maintains a healthy wild population of 180 Sarus Cranes.