A black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), also known as the ‘Dalai Lama’s Crane’ and referred to as Thrung Trung Karmo, arrived in the Sangti valley of West Kameng district. This bird is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and good fortune for Buddhist communities in Tibet, Bhutan, and the Arunachal Pradesh regions of West Kameng and Tawang. Obang Tayeng, from the Bomdila Divisional Forest Office, reported that they had been anticipating the crane’s arrival, with the Dirang range officer’s team closely monitoring it. Following an incident last winter where a crane was injured by feral dogs, the DFO has enacted measures to protect the bird, emphasizing wildlife conservation and the importance of biodiversity in the Sangti-Chug valley area. To safeguard migratory birds during their seasonal arrival, protective restrictions have been placed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Activities such as hunting, trapping, and poaching are strictly banned within the Dirang forest range, particularly in the Sangti and Chug valley regions, and violators may face legal consequences under this act and related laws.
