The Chhari-Dhand wetland in Gujarat’s Kutch district has earned coveted Ramsar designation, honoring its status as a birdwatcher’s paradise with 283-plus species. Yet, it’s the Grey Hypocolius that commands attention, transforming this remote reserve into a global hotspot for nature aficionados.
This elegant, slim bird – ‘Muskati Latoro’ to Gujaratis – hails from dry breeding sites in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, settling into Chhari-Dhand winters since 1990. It haunts scrub deserts and farmlands, relishing berries from Salvadora persica (Piludi) and Tankara plants in loose flocks. Fulay village buzzes with activity from autumn arrivals through March-April.
Archival finds from 1960 in Kuar Bet and S.N. Varu’s 1990 sighting in Fulay’s grasslands mark key chapters in its story. Deemed the premier viewing locale worldwide, it beckons tourists, ornithologists, and lens-wielders. The site’s bonus: sightings of the scarce White-naped Tit, thriving mostly in Kutch.
Ramsar status amplifies preservation amid environmental threats, promising enhanced monitoring and visitor infrastructure. Chhari-Dhand emerges as a model for balancing wildlife sanctuary with tourism, inviting the world to witness nature’s rare migrants up close.