"I am crane karma"

A symbol of peace, black-necked cranes have been revered by Tibetan Buddhists for centuries. This bird accorded highest order bird hierarchy in Tibetan Buddhist culture. The spirituality associated with the black-necked crane is not just because of its impressive beauty and its call, but also because of its very elusiveness and the anticipation built around its appearance, ideas that seem to be a metaphor for the wonders of nature. Legend has it that previous incarnations of the Dalai Lama were carried from monastery to monastery on the backs of these holy birds.

Black-necked Cranes are much revered and respected in all its habitat Bhutan, China, and India. Especially in Bhutan, they  are revered as Lhab Bja or the ‘heavenly bird’ and often associated with luck and fortune. It also features in one of the most common paintings of Tshering Nam Dru The Six Symbols of Longevity as Bja Tshering. Its mysticism is comparable to Dragons, Garuda and snow lion. There are many folk songs and tales which often glorifies the bird’s beauty, elegance, affection, bondage, and its lovely calls. It is often considered as a symbol of loyalty and devotion as they are believed to mate for life. Because of these social considerations, the bird has received both social and legal protection.

In India, these birds are really rare. They found the high altitude of Ladakh and Sikkim. In Sikkim, are only 3-4 pairs of black neck cranes are found.  The monks believe that their number is not important but their presence in Sikkim is important. In Ladakh, the number is high compared to Sikkim. They found near the lake and swampy areas in the cold desert.

Due to inward moments of people in the higher altitude is affecting their behavior and habitat this bird. In the Ladakh story much worse. They migrate to these areas in the breeding season. The noise for this vehicle especially noise from the crazy bike adventure of people has created a problem, even in the remotest part of Ladakh. Their number is drastically reducing as they are looking for a quieter area for breading away from the traditional areas. This bird symbolically very important for these birds in Buddhism, without it Tibetan Buddhism will lose its soul. The government of India should take strict action again these moments of the vehicle in these areas, especially Bikes so that future generation could appreciate the magnificent beauty of these birds.
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