Himachal: Horned lark sighting adds to Kinnaur’s rich bird diversity

A horned lark has been sighted at the Rakchham Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary in Kinnaur, marking the first formal documented record of the species from the region. The rare observation, backed by clear photographic evidence, was made by Lt Col (Dr) A. Karthik and Dr MVLS Praveena during a biodiversity exploration led by Santosh Thakur, Block Forest Officer, Rakchham.

Officials described the sighting as a significant addition to the bird records of Himachal Pradesh’s high-altitude landscapes. Santosh Thakur said the finding was important not only for the sanctuary but also for understanding avian diversity in the region.

Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Sarahan, Ashok Negi said the discovery had added another feather to Kinnaur’s biodiversity profile, where over 170 bird species had now been recorded. He noted that the district supports a remarkable range of avifauna, including endemic species, migratory birds and several species that breed in high-altitude habitats.

Negi added that such important wildlife records could help promote eco-tourism in the region, generating livelihood opportunities for local communities while strengthening conservation awareness.

Lt Col Karthik said the sanctuary was exceptionally rich in biodiversity and deserved stronger conservation attention. He also stressed that many remote parts of Kinnaur remained underexplored and required more scientific surveys and biodiversity studies.