GREEN MINUTE NEWS:
Karnataka has seen a huge decline in the number of Bar Headed Geese migrating to the state. Research studies have revealed that the migration of Bar Headed Geese (BHG) has shown a considerable decline of 34.4 percent from 2024 to 2025.
If it was a whopping 41,338 birds that migrated in 2024, it was only 27,081 Bar Headed Geese that came to Karnataka in 2025.
The arrival rate of migratory birds in the state has fallen by 34.4 percent. Only 65.6 percent of BHG have arrived.
One of the highest-flying birds in the world, thousands of Bar Headed Geese migrate from Mongolia to different states in India to escape the harsh winters of its native land. In fact, ornithologists from both Mongolia and India, have been conducting scientific studies on their migratory patterns for many years and regularly exchanging information.
RESEARCH STUDY TEAM
The Team which studied the decline in their numbers included Manjunath S Nayak, Biodiversity Researcher, Gadag district, Sangamesh S Kadagad, Bird Watcher, Sharanu Goudar, Gadag district, Sunil Kumar, Skanda S N, Bengaluru, Harish N, Bird Watcher, Kanakpura, Ramnagar district and Praveen Baddi, RFO, Mudhol, Bagalkot division, Karnataka Forest Department (KFD). Dr A P C Abhijit, arachnid expert and bird watcher provided the BHG data from Mysuru and Kabini.
In this background, researchers, birders and forest officials have been studying the Bar Headed Geese that migrate to wetlands in different districts of Karnataka in the winter season. However, the recent studies have revealed shocking statistics. There has been a significant decline in the migration of BHG to various important wetlands of Karnataka in the last two years.
FIELD STUDY IN 10 DISTRICTS
Studies were carried out in Important Wetlands of Karnataka such as Bagalkot hinterland, various wetlands of Bidar district such as Chulakinala, Huppala, Haleparaga, and Karanja, Kondajji lake in Davanagere, Magadi lake in Gadag, Nidashesi lake in Koppal district, Hadinaru lake in Mysore, Mandya wetlands, and backwaters of Tungabhadra Dam in Vijayanagar district. Further, studies were carried out at Heggeri, Akkialur, Motitalaba, Anur, Honnatti, Gudgur, Ganga Lake and Raichur reservoirs in Haveri district.
Apart from this, Malavi reservoir in Hagaribomanahalli, Ballari district has seen a significant decline in BHG migration in the last couple of years.
However, in contrast, Nidasheshi Lake in Koppal district is the only wetland that has shown increase in migration of Bar Headed Geese bird with a percentage of 56.6 comparatively.
Every year, Karnataka sees the annual migration of BHG to its different wetlands in 10 districts.
The total number of BHG that migrated to Karnataka:
2025 27,081+
2024 41,338+
The difference in decline from 2024-25 is 14,257 birds that is about 34.4 percent.
The district-wise and year-wise data as per the study-cum-survey are as follows:
Bagalkot district
2025 450+
2024 600+
Bidar district
2025 9150+
2024 16,800+
Davangere district
2025 1200+
2024 2500+
Gadag district
2025 5150+
2024 6700+
Koppal district
2025 1500+
2024 650+
Mysuru district
2025 3181+
2024 3388+
Mandya district
2025 150+
2024 –
Vijaynagar district
2025 3000+
2024 3800+
Haveri district
2025 1500+
2024 2800+
Raichur district
2025 1800+
2024 3000+
According to researchers, there are several possible reasons for this downward trend in migration of BHG:
- Changes in global temperature
- Climate changes
- Unseasonal rains
- Changes in the migration path due to wind stress
- Change in water level due to erratic rainfall and
- Unexpected rains in different districts of the state
- Mountain geese preferring flatlands, shallow wetlands
In addition to crop rotation, lack of rainfall at the right time has led to delay in seed sowing in many districts. Further, variation in threshing (crop pile) has resulted in poor yields resulting in lack of food for birds.
GLOBAL WARMING EFFECTS
Climate change caused by global warming has driven birds from their migration cycle base, and once birds have reached their migration destination, they will need to switch to off-season food, however, changes in rainfall has disrupted the food supply. The usage of chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizers has further aggravated the situation.
Further, the migration of these birds to the dryland districts of Bidar, Raichur, Bagalkot, and Koppal takes place in January when the temperatures are high. Therefore, the BHG return to their native country in the month of February itself. However, in the remaining districts, the Bar Headed Geese usually return to their native countries from first week of February to March.
MAJOR THREATS FACED BY BIRDS
- Water pollution, uncontrolled discharge of sewage into water bodies leading to uncontrolled aquatic weed growth which provides less open space for geese, cotton pygmy duck, ruddy shelduck, colored stork and other aquatic birds. This has also resulted in birds having hard feces.
- Also, with chemicals in the water results in depleted oxygen levels, thereby, causing the death of aquatic animals.
- Windmills have also disrupted the bird migration routes.
- Apart from this, the BHG are hunted for food in some Asian countries.
- Stray dogs around wetlands too hunt these mountain birds.
In view of this, there will be a definite decline in the number of migratory birds as well as mountain geese.
WHY HAVE THE MAGADIKERE BHG GONE?
Once just like the Maha Kumbh Mela, every inch of the lakes of Bidar and Gadag used to be covered by BHG for shelter and food. However, they have migrated in lesser numbers than last year especially in the marshy areas of various districts. Global warming and unseasonal rains have adversely affected many wildlife.
Except for Nidashesi Lake, there has been a significant decrease in the number of BHG migrants this year compared to preceding years. Climate variability and crop changes are possible reasons for decline in migration in their numbers.
F-88, SECOND BIRD EXTREME LEFT, COLLARED BIRD @ HADINARU KERE, PHOTO CREDIT, SUNIL KUMAR
ARRIVAL OF TAGGED BIRDS
Another important highlight to be noted this year:
- Only one goose collared with X-52 has migrated to Magadi Lake in Gadag (for the 5th time in a row) and
- One goose collared with F-88 has migrated to Hadinaru Lake in Mysore.
STUDIES & TRACKING CONTINUES
According to previous survey records, 10-12 collared/tagged geese migrated to Magadi Lake, Gadag every year. More studies are going on in this regard. Due to the lack of STPs in rural areas, sewage water directly flows into water bodies. Also, plastic waste is either incinerated or dumped into water bodies. On the shores of lakes in rural areas, people hang out disturbing the birds.
Further, ornithologists in various states of India are being contacted, especially researchers who are continuously studying migratory birds and bird watchers who are tracking the situation there.
DATA COLLECTION EFFORTS
Thanks to the collective efforts of forest officials, experts and birders from various districts who provided the necessary data from the field.
The Karnataka Forest Department in the concerned 10 districts and birder watchers from various districts – Shashidhar, Range Forest Officer, Hiriyur, Gundappa Kuri (Davangere), Vivek Hallikhekdar (Bidar), Raghukumar C (Mysuru), Raju (Vijayanagar) and K S Murugendra (Davangere) provided the data.
Many provided the required assistance to track these high-flying birds which included wildlife photographers Malatesh Angur (Haveri), Chandru Shidenur, Vijay Karnataka Correspondent, Ranebennur, and Sunil Kumar (Bengaluru) too helped in data collection. Apart from this, Veeresh G, Honorary Wildlife Warden & wildlife conservationist from Chikkamagaluru too chipped in to do his bit.
In the background of this data, it becomes imperative for the Karnataka government to take corrective action and necessary measures to protect and provide the right habitat for the Bar Headed Geese that migrates annually to Karnataka, India to escape the harsh winters in Mongolia, Siberia and other countries.