In a bid to help the conservation of the world’s tallest flying birds — the IUCN red-listed Sarus Crane — the farmers around Bhoj wetlands in Madhya Pradesh, are turning to organic farming to check the harmful effects of pesticides. The internationally recognised Bhoj wetland is an Important Bird Area (IBA). A watch group ‘Sarus Mitra’ has also been created to keep the cranes safe from other anthropogenic threats.
Once seen in hundreds, the sarus crane population has drastically declined from the Bhoj wetlands. As per reports, around 160 individuals were counted in 2001 which reduced to 24 in 2008. This year, only 10 have been counted. Alarmed by such drastic decline, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) NGO that works on wildlife protection teamed up with a local organisation called “Bhopal Birds” set up Rapid Action Project to save these birds.
“One of the biggest killers, which was discovered early on, was the uncontrolled use of pesticide by the farmers - especially on their vegetable crops that the birds feed on,” said Debobroto Sircar of Wildlife Trust of India’s Wild Aid division. “There was an immediate need to shift from the use of chemicals in the area, to something organic.”
This began with awareness camps in the local villages of Goragaon and Bishenkhedi. The agricultural scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and other agriculture research organisations were roped in to speak to the farmers and members of local communities on the adverse effects of chemical fertilisers on human health. They also tried to impress upon them the fact that it would not only benefit human beings but also protect the Sarus cranes.
“The local communities around Bhoj worship the cranes, as they consider their fidelity to their partners a virtue, and would not knowingly harm them,” said Dr Sangeeta Rajgir, from Bhopal Birds. “However, over the years, over-grazing, fishing, desiltation, pesticide use and pollution was taking a toll on the birds.” Hence, it was not difficult to convince them in the long run, said Dr Rajgir.
Every awareness session was followed by a feedback or interactive session that aimed at ensuring that problems faced by farmers in the eventual shift are negated. We even gave out organic fertilisers for them to try out,” said Dr Rajgir.
The results began showing when five farmers from Goragaon village took the first leap recently that permanently shifted to organic farming. Soon 30 more farmers followed suit out of the 60 families living in the area. As per a survey, conducted by the team revealed that 80 per cent of the farmers were keen to permanently shift to organic farming.
A group of village youth from Goragaon had also formed the Sarus Mitra, translating to ‘friends of sarus cranes’, to monitor the birds throughout the year. The volunteers not only keep a watch over the cranes and their nests but also carry out rescue of individuals in distress.
“Our experience with the project demonstrates that it is possible to re-establish a bond between famers and nature”, said Dr Rajgir. These birds require large areas for foraging and brooding, and are known to prefer wetlands that are close to croplands — especially paddy, wheat, maize and soyabean fields.