TheSarus Count 1999 programme is being undertaken by the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun, and will be held by various leading non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country including the BNHS, the World Wide Fund for Nature - India, Nature Club movement, the Oriental Bird Club and the managers of the vast network of the Protected Areas and Sanctuaries in the country.

The summer (May to September 1998) and winter (December 1998 to March 1999) surveys undertaken by research teams of various wildlife institutes in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal have documented an alarming decline in the number of the Sarus cranes.The fall in the numbersof the bird was recorded throughout its distribution range, primarily due to steady changes in the land use pattern, rapid alteration of wetlands and agricultural practices and a certain level of growing intolerance to the presence of the Sarus crane in agricultural fields.

According to BNHS Director, Asad R Rahman, the above factors pose the greatest threat to the existence of the birds. ``Modern developmental activities such as the increase in the use of pesticides, increasing network of high-tension power lines and hunring for sport are alo having a major impact on the Sarus Cranes as well,'' he added.

During the end of summer months, Sarus Cranes tend to congregate in the small number of drying wetlands across the country. This period also coincides with the phase when most fields are fallow, increasing visibility to aid the counting. June 21, the day on which the counting will be undertaken is also the longest day of the year, enabling researchers to have more time for recording the numbers.

The1999 count will also generate a lot of awareness and concern among all the sections of the society, since the bird forms an integral part of several local traditions, and is considered as a sign of faithfulness in folk lore. It also considered as a symbol of fertility and good health of the wetlands.