the Allahabad High Court recently admitted a petition filed by the Wildlife Trust of India (wti) against a US $286 million World Bank project for draining of Etawah and Mainpuri wetlands in Uttar Pradesh (up).

The project was aimed at converting these wetlands, having the largest concentration of Sarus cranes in the world, into agricultural land.

"The up forest department has shown interest and support for the cause and so has the Union ministry of environment and forests. We are positive that things will be worked out in favour of the cranes,' says Ashok Kumar of the wti.

If the court stalls the project, it will possibly give a new lease of life to the vulnerable Sarus cranes in the region.