Black-Necked Crane

 

Black-Necked Crane: Ladakh Habitat, IUCN Status, Conservation & UPSC Environment Notes

UPSC Reference Category: Environment

Why in News?

Ladakh hosted India's first Black-Necked Crane Festival 2026, focusing on conservation and community-based eco-tourism.

Key Facts

  • Scientific name: Grus nigricollis

  • Family: Gruidae

  • It is the only crane species that breeds exclusively in high-altitude alpine environments.

  • In India, an important breeding area is Changthang, Ladakh.

  • Also associated with high-altitude wetlands of:

    • Tibet/China

    • Bhutan

    • Arunachal Pradesh

  • Major threats:

    • Wetland degradation

    • Predation on eggs/chicks

    • Human disturbance

    • Climate change

Current IUCN status: Near Threatened (NT) following its reclassification from Vulnerable.

Key Pointer

Black-necked Crane → Ladakh → High-altitude wetlands → Near Threatened