Return of the Pallas's Gull: A Decade-Long Wait Ends at Udhwa Sanctuary

The rare migratory Pallas's Gull was spotted in Jharkhand's Udhwa Bird Sanctuary, marking its return after almost a decade. This sighting highlights the sanctuary's favorable habitat for migratory birds. The sanctuary, a Ramsar site, hosts a diverse avian population but faces threats from agricultural activities.

A rare migratory bird, Pallas's Gull, has been seen at Udhwa Bird Sanctuary in Jharkhand's Sahibganj district after almost a decade, according to officials.

Noted on Wednesday, the juvenile Pallas's Gull makes its return significant for the sanctuary's biodiversity, underscoring a safe habitat for such rare species.

The Pallas's Gull, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, breeds from southern Russia to Mongolia, wintering across the eastern Mediterranean and India. Concerns persist over threats from agriculture, fishing, and trespassing in the sanctuary.

(With inputs from agencies.)