Population survey reveals increasing number of black-necked cranes in Xizang

In an ongoing conservation effort, the Xizang autonomous region has ramped up its measures to protect the habitat of the black-necked crane, resulting in a dramatic increase in the species' population, People's Daily reported.

A winter population survey conducted in 2022 reported a significant increase in the number of black-necked cranes that choose Xizang as their wintering grounds, with a staggering count of 11,175 cranes. The population continues to flourish, with their presence now spanning the entire region.

According to the wildlife and wetland resources management office of the region's forestry and grassland bureau, several essential breeding grounds for black-necked cranes in the area, including Mount Everest, the Changthang grassland, Silingtso Lake, Lake Manasarovar, and the Maidika marshes, have been designated as national-level nature reserves. Furthermore, Silingtso Lake, Lake Manasarovar, the Maidika marshes, and Dzari Namtso Lake have achieved international recognition by being listed as significant wetlands.

Additionally, the regional government has safeguarded the principal wintering grounds of the black-necked cranes by establishing national-level nature reserves, such as the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley Black-necked Crane Reserve, the Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve, and the Yani National Wetland Park.