Several Bar-headed geese, which migrate to India from Mongolia and China during the winters, were spotted at the Gharana wetland, situated on the outskirts of Jammu. The wetland is home to several species of migratory birds that come here during the winters every year.
Alarmed over the unusual collars, the authorities contacted leading ornithologists around the world to ascertain the origin of the bands.
"Dr Asad Rehamani, director, Bombay Natural History Society, Martin Gilbert of Wildlife Conservation Society, USA, Diann Prosser of USGS, Dr Taej Mundkur of Wetland International, Lue Dongeing and Qian Fawen of National Bird Banding Centre, China, were contacted immediately. We then came to know that the birds collared at the Qinghai province of China," Tahir Shawal, wildlife warden, Jammu, said.
As soon as it was known that the birds were collared in China, intelligence agencies were alerted. An intelligence source said: "If the collars are equipped with a GPS or tracking device, it could give a detailed topography of the areas from where the birds enter the Indian side and strategically important areas in India to Chinese authorities." Read the full report here.
Source: Arjun Sharma, India Today, Jammu.
