Arrival in Tamil Nadu
Journey of the Pallid Harrier to Tamil Nadu: The Pallid Harrier has recently been tracked reaching its roosting grounds in Tirunelveli, marking an important update in India’s winter migration studies. Researchers at ATREE, Bengaluru, confirmed this movement after receiving signals from a small 9.5-gram transmitter fixed on the bird’s back. This movement highlights India’s significant role in supporting migratory raptors every winter.
Role of Tracking Technology
The geo-tagging effort enabled researchers to trace the bird’s journey from Kazakhstan, where it breeds during summer. The data signals provided insights into flight duration, stopover points, and habitat preferences. Such lightweight transmitters are designed to avoid restricting the bird’s natural behaviour.
Static GK fact: The first wildlife radio-telemetry project in India was introduced in the 1980s to study tiger movement patterns.
Harrier Watch Project
The Harrier Watch Project is a long-term monitoring initiative focusing on the six harrier species that migrate to India. It records arrival patterns, roosting grounds, and habitat changes. The project aims to understand population trends and the impact of grassland loss on these raptors. These datasets help provide scientific backing for conservation-related policy recommendations.
Importance of Grassland Ecosystems
Harriers depend heavily on open grassland ecosystems for hunting and roosting. Rapid conversion of grasslands into agricultural fields, industrial areas, and urban layouts threatens their survival. Grassland degradation reduces prey availability, directly affecting wintering harrier populations.
Static GK Tip: The Deccan Plateau contains some of India’s largest natural grasslands, historically home to species like the Great Indian Bustard.
Migration Routes and Seasonal Patterns
The Pallid Harrier breeds across Central Asia, especially countries like Kazakhstan and Mongolia. As winter approaches, it migrates thousands of kilometres to the Indian subcontinent, using historical flyways shaped by climate and geography. Tirunelveli, with its favourable roosting conditions, becomes a key winter refuge. Such long-distance movement underlines the resilience and navigational precision of raptors.
Conservation Concerns
The IUCN categorises the Pallid Harrier as Near Threatened, mainly due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and shrinking grasslands. Conservation efforts focus on protecting roosting grounds, reducing human disturbances, and restoring native grassland patches. The data from geo-tagged individuals help identify critical wintering habitats and guide future protection strategies.
Static GK fact: India became a member of the IUCN in 1969, contributing regularly to global biodiversity assessments.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Journey of the Pallid Harrier to Tamil Nadu:
| Topic | Detail |
| Species tracked | Pallid Harrier |
| Tracking method | Geo-tagging with 9.5-gram transmitter |
| Research institution | ATREE, Bengaluru |
| Origin location | Kazakhstan breeding grounds |
| Wintering site | Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu |
| Monitoring project | Harrier Watch Project |
| Threat status | Near Threatened under IUCN |
| Key concern | Loss of grassland habitats |
| Migratory nature | Winter migrant to Indian subcontinent |
| Ecosystem type | Grassland-dependent raptor |
