Two bar-headed geese, named Gagan and Vayu, tagged with solar-powered GSM-GPS transmitters at Bihar’s Nagi Dam Bird Sanctuary, have successfully reached the wetlands of Tibet after completing a month-long migratory journey.
The tagging was part of a project undertaken by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) on February 22, marking the first time such tracking technology has been used on bar-headed geese in Bihar. These geese are known as the highest-flying migratory birds and follow the Central Asian Flyway during their seasonal movements.
According to Bihar’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Sunil Kumar, the project aims to gather detailed data on migration routes, stopover points, and behavioral patterns of these geese, which is expected to significantly contribute to the development of wetland conservation strategies.
As per the latest updates, Gagan and Vayu are currently in different parts of the Tibetan wetland complex, with Gagan located near Nagarze County and Yamzho Yumco in northwest Tibet, while Vayu is positioned further south.
The Nagi Dam Bird Sanctuary, where the birds were tagged, is a 200-hectare wetland located in Jamui district. It serves as a vital wintering ground for a variety of migratory birds from October to April.
Declared a bird sanctuary in 1984 and recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, the sanctuary attracts species such as the Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose, Northern Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Steppe Eagle, and Taiga Flycatcher, among others. It also supports a diverse population of resident birds like the Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark throughout the year.
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Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Prabhat Kumar Gupta explained that the bar-headed goose breeds in regions ranging from Mongolia and Russia to Tibet and Kyrgyzstan, and migrates over the Himalayas to winter in various parts of South Asia, including Assam and Tamil Nadu. This species is unique in that it exclusively follows the Central Asian Flyway.
Tracking data reveals that after being tagged, Vayu left Nagi Dam on March 6 at 10:54 am, climbing to an altitude of 4,898 metres and entering the Tibetan Plateau via Bhutan and Sikkim. It flew at speeds ranging from 59 to 74 km/h and on March 9, was seen taking a circular route, possibly in search of a suitable habitat.
Gagan, on the other hand, remained at Nagi Dam until March 7, before flying to the sandbars of the Ganges near Bhagalpur—about 80 km away—where it stayed for 36 hours before heading toward Nepal. Unlike Vayu, Gagan opted for a lower-altitude path and was recorded flying at a maximum height of 640 metres with a steady speed of 56–57 km/h.
Both birds are now confirmed to be in Tibet, continuing their natural migratory journey while contributing valuable insights to ornithologists and conservationists.
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