Black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) are large, long-legged and long-necked birds, fly with necks outstretched.
During winters i.e in the month of October – February they arrive from Tibetan Plateau visit to the Phobjikha Valleyin Bhutan, Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh in India
The above view is of Phobjikha Valley in Bhutan across black mountains.
This Phobjikha Conservation Area covering 163 square kilometers (63 sq. m) of the valley any person killing a crane would invite a long jail sentence.
This crane species is legally protected in Bhutan and its hunting is prohibited as it comes under endangered and vulnerable species list.
Many tourists visit the valley to witness the Crane festival is held every year on November in Gangten Monastery.
Bhutanese people welcome cranes through folk songs and dance named as thrung thrung karmo. They believe that whenever they see cranes it’s sign of good fortune too.
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