Shimla, April 9
The forests and hill ranges of Shimla—from Kufri and Mashobra to Narkanda and Chail—are witnessing a vibrant mix of resident and migratory birds, reaffirming the region’s status as a major avian hotspot in Himachal Pradesh.
Recent bird counts indicate that out of nearly 1,300 bird species found across India, around 650 are recorded in Himachal Pradesh, with nearly 250 species documented in Shimla and its surrounding landscapes alone.
What sets Shimla apart is its dual role as both a permanent habitat and a seasonal refuge.
While several birds remain settled year-round, many others migrate from the Trans-Himalayan regions, including Tibet and China, to escape extreme weather and find suitable feeding and breeding grounds.
Among the prominent migratory species recorded in the region are Spectacled Finch, Grey-headed Goldfinch and Pink-browed Rosefinch, which travel long distances to reach the mid-Himalayan belt.
At the same time, resident species such as the Himalayan Bulbul, crow and pigeon do not change their habitat and are commonly seen throughout the year.
Key birding hotspots include Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary, Kufri, Mashobra, Potter Hill, Mehli–Shoghi bypass and Narkanda, where dense forests and relatively undisturbed ecosystems support large bird populations.
These areas have also become popular among birdwatchers and tourists, who flock annually to catch glimpses of rare and seasonal species.
Santosh Thakur, Himachal Pradesh’s Regional Coordinator with Bird Count India, told the media that the region continues to attract a wide range of migratory birds due to its favourable habitat and climatic conditions. He emphasised that the diversity recorded in Shimla highlights its ecological importance in the larger Himalayan landscape.
However, even as the diversity impresses, a critical question remains unanswered for officials and researchers alike—has the bird population increased, declined or remained stable over the years?What has further raised concern among conservationists is that several prime bird habitats in Himachal Pradesh—including Choordhar, Sarahan, Sungri and Moraal Danda, Shilgran, Chharki in Chopal and Deorighat in Jubbal Rohru etc—remain largely unstudied and undocumented.
Despite being ecologically rich and relatively undisturbed, these areas have not been part of systematic bird surveys or long-term monitoring programmes.
Experts say this lack of data from key high-altitude and forest zones creates a major blind spot in understanding species distribution, migration patterns and habitat health, making it difficult to frame effective conservation strategies for the state’s avian diversity.
Authorities admit that no long-term scientific study has conclusively tracked population trends.
More importantly, the impact of expanding infrastructure—such as transmission lines and communication towers—on bird migration routes and survival has not yet been systematically studied.
Officials say efforts are underway to conserve bird habitats and minimise disturbances in key areas.
Yet, experts warn that without sustained monitoring and scientific research, it will be difficult to assess whether conservation measures are truly effective.
For now, Shimla’s forests continue to echo with the calls of both resident and migratory birds—but the larger question of their future in a rapidly changing landscape remains wide open.
#HimachalBirds #ShimlaWildlife #BirdMigration #HimalayanEcology #ConservationConcerns
