8–14 August 2026 | New Delhi and Leh–Ladakh, India

A conservation story that began in the wetlands of Gangtey–Phobjikha, Bhutan, has now travelled across the Himalayas to Ladakh, India.

From August 8–14 2026, a delegation from the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) joined conservation partners, researchers, government representatives, academicians, and Black-necked Crane experts from across the region to advance cooperation for the conservation of the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis). The journey took the delegation from New Delhi to the high-altitude landscapes of Ladakh, bringing together science, culture, community participation, and conservation.

From regional dialogue to action

The visit began in New Delhi with participation in the Regional Workshop and Annual Regional Stakeholders’ Meeting on Black-necked Crane Research and Conservation. The gathering provided an opportunity for partners from across the crane’s range to share research and experiences, review conservation progress, identify common challenges, and explore priorities for stronger regional collaboration.

For a species that crosses political and geographical boundaries, such cooperation is essential. The Black-necked Crane depends on fragile high-altitude wetlands and surrounding landscapes, making its future closely linked to the health of these ecosystems and the communities that live alongside them.

A festival inspired by Bhutan

The next chapter of the journey unfolded in Ladakh, where RSPN provided the technical support for  the inauguration of the first-ever Black-necked Crane Festival in Ladakh.

The festival draws inspiration from Bhutan’s Black-necked Crane Festival in Gangtey–Phobjikha, initiated in 1998. Over the years, the Bhutanese festival has evolved into an important platform where conservation meets culture bringing together local communities, schools, visitors, artists, and conservationists to celebrate the arrival of the cranes and promote their protection. In Ladakh, the concept is being adapted to reflect the region’s own ecological, cultural, and social identity.

The inaugural celebrations brought together communities and conservation partners through cultural activities, awareness programs, and scientific discussions, creating a new platform for people to connect with and celebrate one of Ladakh’s most iconic high-altitude birds.

Connecting young people through cranes

The exchange extended beyond conservation professionals.

An educational and cultural exchange involving six students (Three Female and Three Male) from Bayta Primary School and students in Ladakh provided an opportunity for young people from the two countries to learn from each other and discover how communities across the Himalayas are connected by a shared species and shared responsibility for nature.

The delegation also participated in the Black-necked Crane Festival at Tsokar, attended the Black-necked Crane Conservation Science Conference at Leh, and visited a Black-necked Crane breeding area to gain firsthand insights into the species and its habitat in Ladakh.

Looking beyond the festival

The visit also opened the door to potential long-term collaboration.

RSPN and the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre in Leh explored the possibility of establishing a Black-necked Crane Visitor Centre, envisioned as a platform for conservation education, awareness, and visitor engagement.

A shared conservation journey

The Bhutan–India partnership on Black-necked Crane conservation has grown through years of knowledge exchange, research, awareness, and habitat conservation. In 2024, RSPN implemented the project “Fostering Regional Partnership between India and Bhutan in the Conservation of Black-necked Crane” with support from the India-Bhutan Foundation. The initiative helped lay the groundwork for closer engagement with conservation partners in Ladakh and discussions on adapting Bhutan’s festival model.

The 2026 visit represents another step forward. From Gangtey–Phobjikha to Tsokar, the Black-necked Crane is bringing communities and conservationists closer together across the Himalayas. What began as a festival in Bhutan has now inspired a new conservation platform in Ladakh demonstrating how ideas, knowledge, and commitment to nature can travel across borders.

The cranes know no borders, and neither should conservation. Together, Bhutan and India are building a stronger regional commitment to protect the species and the landscapes it calls home.