Day 1: February 1, 2016

Arrival of National and International delegates at Saifai.

Field Excursion for Sarus rich area - Lakh Bahoshi Bird Sanctuary/Lion Safari.

Day 2. February 2, 2016.

Inaugural Session: 1030am-1200pm

1230-1300: Keynote address for Wetland day celebration: Wetland diversity and conservation Dr. Brij Gopal.

Theme: Setting the stage: a history of understanding Sarus Cranes

1300-1330pm: Sarus Cranes in India: a brief history.

Mr. B.C. Choudhury

Lunch 1330-1430pm

Theme: Around the world in three hours: Global status and ecology of Sarus Cranes

Chair: Dr. Gopi Sundar; Co-chair: Dr. Ashish John.

1430-1500pm: Australia: Preliminary findings on the Queensland Sarus. Mr. Tim Nevard

Bio: Until early retirement in 2013, Tim had a career in business; co-founding the RPS Group, one of the World's largest environmental consultancies. He has been involved with wildlife since childhood and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to nature conservation in 2003. He has maintained a keen interest in cranes and initiated the highly successful Great Crane Project (www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk) in 2009. Tim is currently researching Australian Sarus cranes and is affiliated to the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University and Wildlife Conservany of Tropical Queensland (which he co-founded).

Abstract: Unlike any other Sarus crane population, the Australian Sarus crane Antigone antigone gilliae lives alongside and interacts intimately with the closely-related Brolga Antigone rubicunda. The overall objective of this research is to understand how the Australian Sarus crane uses the Queensland environment, what triggers its movements and evolutionary trajectories, and how it may be affected by increasingly abrupt land use change. There are four supporting strands to the research: Movements – identification of movements and aggregations; Feeding ecology - how forage availability affects movements and behaviour; Habitat use - identification of preferred feeding areas, and potential causes of both temporary and permanent shifts in usage; Evolutionary processes - key behavioural and genetic characteristics of the Australian Sarus crane and Brolga, and conditions which could influence continued or accellerated introgression.

1500-1530pm:South-east Asia: The role of communities and protected wetlands for Sarus conservation.

Dr. Tran Triet

Bio: Dr. Tran Triet is director of the Southeast Asia Program, International Crane Foundation (ICF). He is overseeing ICF's Sarus crane research and conservation activities in the Mekong River basin since 1999. He is also a faculty member of the University of Science at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. His research interests are crane population monitoring, wetland vegetation, mangrove ecology and invasive alien species.

Abstract: The Eastern Sarus cranes in Cambodia and Vietnam use different wetland habitats between breeding and non-breeding seasons. During the breeding season, May to November, Sarus cranes use small wetlands in dry deciduous Dipterocarp forests in Northern Cambodia and the Central Highland of Vietnam.

During the non-breeding season, December to April, cranes use seasonally inundated freshwater of brackish water marshes around the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia and in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Eastern Sarus cranes in Cambodia and Vietnam mostly inhabit natural wetlands, but sometime in non-breeding seasons, they may feed in paddy fields. Habitats of the Eastern Sarus cranes are under severe threats of being converted to farm lands.

1600-1630pm: Cambodia: Cranes of the forest wetlands

Mr. Robert van Zalinge

Bio: I have worked on small to large scale, species conservation to wider natural resource management projects in South and Southeast Asia since graduating from Wageningen University in 2000. I currently am a PhD candidate at Charles Darwin University, conducting research on Sarus Crane ecology in Cambodia.

Abstract: Counts of the sharpii population in Cambodia and Vietnam have been conducted annually since 2001. I will give an overview of where counts take place, who conducts them and present results. Some discussion of seasonal movements of cranes and habitat use will be given. I will conclude with a discussion about the conservation of cranes in Cambodia and Vietnam.

1630-1700pm:Myanmar: New discoveries of Sarus Cranes.

Dr. Myo Sander Win

Bio: Dr. Myo Sandar Win is lecturer, Zoology Department, University of Yangon. Dr. Myo Sandar Win got PhD since 2008 and the title is Population Fluctuation and Habitat Utilization of Migratory Birds in Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary, Northern Myanmar. Now studying about the current status of Sarus Crane in Natural Wetlands of Ayeyarwaddy Region.

Abstract: The preliminary survey was conducted to assess Sarus Crane's status and distribution at Natural Wetlands of Ayeyarwaddy Region from August to December 2015. The objective of the survey was to assess the status and distribution of Sarus Crane and main threats to them in the natural wetlands. Data were collected by direct census method. Three nests and 80 individuals were recorded from five Township of Ayeyarwaddy Region during the survey period. Main threats identified to survival of birds were habitat degradation, pesticide usage, extension of fishponds and local people.

1700-1730pm: Nepal: Sarus Cranes of the lowlands.

Mr. Hem Bahadur Katuwal and Mr. Kamal Raj Gosai.

Bios: Hem Bahadur Katuwal is a research officer at Bird Conservation Nepal. He has been working in the research and conservation of birds of Nepal and simultaneously monitoring the migratory birds in Kathmandu valley.

Kamal Raj Gosai is a faculty at Department of Environmental Science in Khwopa College, Nepal. He has been conducting research on Sarus Crane and other birds of Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi.

Abstract: Sarus Crane has patchy distribution from Chitwan to Kanchanpur districts. Long-term monitoring data shows that its population has significantly increased in Nepal and new breeding sites are being reported in new sites. More than half of the eggs are hatched. Farmlands followed by wetlands provide important foraging and breeding grounds and its behavior varies according to the habitat utilization, time of year and gender. Yet threats like drainage of wetlands, conversion of farmlands to settlements and industries, extension of power lines, vandalization of nests, water pollution, pesticides, etc. still persist for this increased population.

1730-1800pm:Discussion facilitated by Chair and Co-chair.

1800-2000: Poster session

Dinner and cultural programme: Dance performance by Kathak Maestro Birju Maharaj, and ballet performance titled "Phoolon ki Holi" from the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh.

Day 3. February 3, 2016.

Plenary talk: 1000-1030am. Dr. Siddharth Kaul: Challenges for wetland conservation – a policy perspective.

Theme: Understanding the Sarus: Methods in ecology and conservation.

Chair: Dr.; Co-chair: Dr. James Lyon.

1030-1100am: Counting Sarus Cranes in Uttar Pradesh.

Speaker from UP forest department.

1100-1130am: Road counts, wetland visits, and other methods: Lessons from long-term monitoring in Uttar Pradesh.

Dr. Gopi Sundar.

Bio: Dr. Gopi Sundar is ICF's Director of Program SarusScape and has been working on large waterbirds in agricultural landscapes in S Asia since 1998. His long-term and interdisciplinary initiatives are helping understand ways to conserve Sarus and their habitats across large landscapes dominated by human use. He is also the global Co-Chair for the IUCN Stork, Ibis and Spoonbills Specialist Group.

Abstract: A plethora of methods to count Sarus Cranes are available, varying from site to the landscape-level, and from convenience-based to systematic methods. In this talk, a comparative account of several methods across multiple spatial and temporal scales will be presented to showcase the advantages and caveats of each. In the context of recent findings, best practices for counting and monitoring Sarus Cranes in south Asia’s agricultural areas will be underscored.

1130-1200pm:Sarus conservation through community projects: initiatives by WCS-Cambodia.

Dr. Ashish John

Bio: A community-based natural resource management specialist with over fifteen years experience in Cambodia. Instrumental in establishing community-based conservation incentive schemes that link income for communities to improved management of habitat and the protection of key wildlife species in the Northern Plains, Cambodia.

Abstract: 15 years ago it was common for Sarus Cranes – Grus antigone including their eggs to be eaten, in the Northern Plains (NP) and Ang Trapeang Thmor (ATT).  WCS started working with the government, community and local authorities at a landscape level in these sites. WCS helped the park, local authorities and community develop rules and regulations for management of the park, then initiate conservation incentive schemes like Nest Protection, Ibis Rice and community based eco-tourism that directly link positive conservation outcomes to livelihood improvement. Community involvement in conservation has been positive and active, and the populations of key bird species remain stable or are increasing in these sites. Outside of these sites, habitat is being rapidly lost and populations of threatened species are declining.

1200-1230pm: Discussion facilitated by Chair and Co-chair.

Lunch: 1230-1330pm.

Post-lunch session: 1330-2000. (Theme continues)

Chair: Dr. Asad Rahmani; Co-chair: Dr. Tran Triet.

1330-1400:ConservingSarus Cranes in Gujarat: observations of a long-term study. Mr. Kandarp Kathju.

Bio: Kandarp Kathju has been actively involved with wildlife conservation and has been monitoring Sarus Cranes in a demarcated area in North Gujarat since 1998. He was the principal investigator for the Sarus Crane study of the GEER Foundation, and the WWF-India project for Thol Sanctuary.

Abstract: Historically the state of Gujarat with a good mix of natural inland wetlands and agricultural tracts so favoured by this essentially wetland species has provided habitat suitable to the well being of this species. Local cultural values founded on respect for all living beings and the almost mythical status bestowed upon the sarus ensured protection only the very exalted enjoyed. Recent years have witnessed the steady erosion of the species’ natural nesting habitat and its consequently greater reliance on agricultural tracts is leading to a marked change in the attitude of the farming community. The presentation is an attempt to highlight the threats faced by the Sarus and suggest ways to redress the issue.

1400-1430: Needs for Sarus Crane conservation in Indian drylands: A decade of observations in Rajasthan.

Dr. Mohammed Yaseen

Bio: Dr. Yaseen has over 12 years of experience working on Sarus Cranes, wetland ecology, and stream fishes in Rajasthan. As the Head of Department of Environmental Sciences in Chittorgarh, he has helped over 15 students develop and implement various projects on wildlife and ecology in the state. He has a long-standing interest in Sarus Crane conservation in the dryland areas of Rajasthan.

Abstract: The distribution of Indian Sarus Crane in the arid zones of India is largely influenced by the geographical peculiarities of the region. This presentation includes an account of habitat characteristics enabling the state of Rajasthan to hold a good proportion of the global population of Indian Sarus Crane. Information on regional distribution and status, ecology and ethology and breeding success will also be discussed.

1430-1500: Sarus conservation in Cambodian wetlands: Taking an integrated approach.

Dr. James Lyon

Bio: Dr. James Lyon is the Biodiversity & Engagement Manager of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.

Abstract: Boeung Prek Lapouv & Anlung Pring is two key 'Protected Areas' for the Sarus Crane in the Cambodian Lower Mekong Delta. They compromise the last remnants of seasonally inundated grassland in Cambodia which are key wintering sites of the South East Asian sub-population of Sarus Crane. This presentation will introduce the conservation activities occurring at both sites to secure the long term future of this sub-population.

1500-1530pm:Discussion facilitated by Chair and Co-chair.

1530-1600pm: Tea break.

Theme: Thinking out of the box – Sarus Cranes and the future

1600-1645pm: Panel discussion: Current methods and needs for Sarus Crane conservation.

(including the need to promote traditional methods of farming and wetland use; addressing changes in land use, use of chemicals and increase of electricity wires; role of conservationists versus farmers and panchayats; variations of needs around the world)

Dr. C. K. Varshney, Dr. B.M. Parasharya, Dr. Ashish John

1645-1730pm: Developing the Global Sarus Crane Network: the IUCN Crane Specialist Group.

(including a discussion on the need for the network, linking with the UP Sarus Crane Conservation Committee, and future opportunities for Sarus Crane conservation)

CWLW UP, Dr. Gopi Sundar, Dr. Asad Rahmani, Mr. Tim Nevard.

1730-1930pm: Poster presentation.

1930-2000pm:Concluding function hosted by the UP Forest Department.

Day 4. February 4, 2016.

Field visit to Saman Bird Sanctuary.