UPL Hosts 3rd Sarus Crane Festival on World Wetlands Day

Surat :  UPL a global leader in sustainable agriculture solutions, organized the 3rd Sarus Crane Festival at Pariej Wetland in Kheda district to mark World Wetlands Day. This year’s theme, ‘Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,’ highlightedthe connection between wetland conservation and a sustainable future, emphasizing to maintain ecological balance and supporting biodiversity. Gujarat holds the second-highest population of Sarus Crane, a vulnerable species in India

The Indian Sarus Crane, the world’s tallest flying bird and classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, traditionally inhabits wetlands and agricultural fields for feeding and breeding. However, habitat loss and wetland degradation have led to its decline. 

To address this, UPL launched the Sarus Conservation Programin 2015, working closely with farmers to correct misconceptions and encourage conservation efforts. As a result, the Sarus Crane population has grown from 500 in 2015-16 to 1,431in 2023-24, achieving nearly 3X growth. 

Sharing his experience, Rishi Pathania, Vice President – CSR, UPL Ltd., said, “Conservation is a collective responsibility, and through the Sarus Crane Festival, at UPL, we aim to involve local communities, especially the younger generation, in protecting these magnificent birds and their habitat.”

“The Sarus Conservation program has created an umbrella network of 90 Rural Sarus Protection Group volunteers from 40 villages engaged in protecting nests, eggs, and juveniles from poaching and predation. Additionally,students and the community have been sensitized to Sarus Crane Conservation and educated on the need for and importance of conserving the Sarus Crane.The Sarus Crane Festival is a testament to UPL’s commitment for species conservation,” Pathania added. 

Encouraging community involvement, this year’s festival expanded its reach by engaging young students, volunteers, and local communities in biodiversity conservation and climate action. A special recognition program honoured villages as “Friends of Nature” with Sarus trophies for recording the highest number of Sarus Crane sightings and nesting sites, fostering community-led conservation efforts.