January 22, 2025
Introduction:
In early 2025, the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan witnessed a concerning rise in the deaths of the migratory Demoiselle cranes, attributed to the H591 strain of avian flu. Environmentalists, however, speculate that other environmental factors may also play a role in these fatalities.
Recent Bird Deaths
Since January 11, 2025, 33 Kurjan cranes have died in Jaisalmer.
The first death was reported on January 11, with the latest on January 20.
The deaths coincide with the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the area.
Demoiselle Crane Migration
The Demoiselle crane (Kurjan) migrates 4,000 km from Central Asia (China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan) to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, every winter. They typically spend six months in the region, particularly in areas like Lathi and Degaray Oran.
This year, the birds are facing problems due to bird flu (H5N1) and accidents with electric wires.
Key Facts About Demoiselle crane
The Demoiselle (Kurjan) crane is found in Central Eurosiberia, ranging from the Black Sea to Mongolia and Northeast China. A small breeding population also exists in Turkey.
Testing and Confirmation
On January 17, 2025, 14 cranes fell from the sky in Bankalsar village. The incident prompted immediate investigation by local authorities, with samples sent for testing.
Samples from the dead birds in Bankalsar were sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases. Confirmatory tests revealed H591 and H5N1 avian flu infections in the area.
Recurring Deaths
Cranes die every January in Jaisalmer (2024: 9, 2023: 11, 2022: 6).
Possible reasons for deaths:
Pesticides: Birds eat leaves from chickpea fields sprayed with pesticides.
Toxic water/food: Heavy rainfall created new water bodies that may contain harmful toxins.
Government Actions
Dead birds are buried with strict safety measures.
Quick Response Teams (QRTs) from various departments are working to stop the spread of bird flu.
Chemicals are sprayed in affected areas as a preventive step.
Threat to the Great Indian Bustard
Bird flu is a threat to Rajasthan’s state bird, the Great Indian Bustard.
Breeding centers in Sam and Ramdevra have been closed, and outsiders are not allowed in affected areas.
 
Recent reports highlight the increase in reactive nitrogen added to the Earth’s surface, primarily due to human activities. This rise has doubled compared to pre-industrial levels, with projections suggesting a further increase due to climate change. The Food and Agriculture Organization has emphasised the urgent need for improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to mitigate environmental impacts.
Current Nitrogen Contributions
Humans add approximately 150 teragrammes (Tg) of reactive nitrogen annually.
This is primarily from agriculture and industry.
Livestock alone contributes about one-third of total nitrogen emissions.
Other sources include synthetic fertilisers and manure emissions.
Planetary Boundaries
Global nitrogen flows have exceeded safe environmental limits. This exceedance has intensified since 2015. It marks the need for tailored policies that consider regional differences in nitrogen management.
Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE)
NUE measures the ratio of nitrogen recovered in outputs compared to inputs.
It has fluctuated over the decades, with a notable increase from 40% in the 1980s to 56% in 2022.
Variations exist between regions and crops, with soybeans achieving high NUEs and fruits and vegetables showing low efficiency.
Regional Nitrogen Pollution
Nitrogen pollution is most severe in North America, Western Europe, and parts of Asia.
Countries in these regions have extensively used fertilisers, leading to environmental damage.
Recommendations for Improvement
The report advises the fertiliser industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It also suggests promoting biological nitrogen fixation through leguminous crops.
National governments should implement best practices for manure management and encourage the use of organic nitrogen fertilisers.
Policy and Sustainable Practices
Agrifood system policies should focus on sustainable nitrogen management.
This includes spatial planning to redistribute livestock and promoting circular bioeconomy approaches.
National commitments to reduce nitrogen pollution are essential for meeting global biodiversity and climate goals.
Future Projections
Without intervention, nitrogen contributions could rise to 600 Tg per year by 2100. This potential increase poses further risks to air, water, and soil quality, necessitating immediate actions to enhance NUE and mitigate environmental impacts.