Ramnagar: The sighting of the rare Pallas’s Gull, the largest gull species, in the Kosi River flowing through the Corbett landscape in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, has brought joy to birdwatchers and wildlife experts.
This large bird, usually seen in large water bodies, being spotted in the Kosi River is considered a significant indicator of the region’s biodiversity and the robustness of its ecosystem.
Renowned ornithologist Sumanta Ghosh confirmed this sighting recently, stating that the bird seen in the Kosi River is a Pallas’s Gull, which is considered possibly the largest bird of the gull species. He said that this species migrates from Mongolia and Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent during the winter months, and in winter, this bird is seen in some selected water bodies of North India.
Bird expert Ghosh said that Pallas’s Gulls are usually found in places where the water level is relatively high and open water bodies are present. Its presence is more frequently recorded in large reservoirs and rivers like the Ganga Barrage. The water level in the Kosi Barrage is generally low, so its sighting here is considered special.
He said that the appearance of this bird in the Kosi River is a positive sign, indicating that the ecosystem of the Corbett landscape and the Kosi Barrage is still favorable and rich for birds. This observation also proves how important the Kosi River and its surrounding area are for the conservation of migratory and rare birds. The bird expert also clarified that the Pallas’s Gull cannot be called a regular visitor. This bird is not commonly seen in the Corbett landscape, and its presence here is considered quite unusual.
Ghosh said that since the Corbett area and the rivers around it are relatively small, this species, which prefers large water bodies, is rarely seen here. According to Ghosh, the sighting of the Pallas’s gull in this region is not only exciting for birdwatchers, but it also serves as an important indicator for the administration and conservation departments that bird conservation needs to be further strengthened in the Kosi River and Corbett landscape.
