Marks High-Altitude Breakthrough
Rakchham, Kinnaur
In a significant boost to Himachal Pradesh’s biodiversity records, a Brahminy Starling (Sturnia pagodarum) has been sighted for the first time in the Rakchham Beat of Kinnaur district. The observation marks a rare high-altitude appearance of the species, which is typically found in lowland and open forest habitats.
Forest Range Officer Santosh Thakur confirmed that this is the first documented record of the Brahminy Starling in Kinnaur. He noted that while historical data suggests occasional sightings in higher altitudes, such occurrences remain extremely rare. A notable past record dates back to 1921 in the Lahaul region, while more recent data from eBird (2019) reported its presence in Tabo, Spiti.
Experts believe that this unusual sighting could offer valuable insights into the migration patterns of the species. The presence of Brahminy Starling in such a high-altitude zone highlights the need for continuous and systematic monitoring, which could help in documenting and understanding shifting bird distributions in response to environmental and climatic factors.
Ashok Kumar Negi (IFS), Deputy Conservator of Forests, Sarahan, emphasized that the Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary is already known for its rich biodiversity. He stated that recording new species in the region reflects the dedication and regular patrolling efforts of field staff. He also highlighted that migratory birds often make short stopovers at select locations, making such sightings both rare and significant.
He lauded the Sangla forest division team for their consistent efforts in wildlife conservation and encouraged them to continue their work with the same commitment.
This discovery not only enriches the avian records of Kinnaur but also underscores the ecological importance of sustained field observation and conservation efforts in fragile Himalayan ecosystems.
