Wildlife – Rare Bar-Headed Goose Spotted in Panna Forests
Wildlife – The rare appearance of a bar-headed goose in the forests of Panna has drawn attention from wildlife officials and bird enthusiasts alike. The high-altitude migratory bird, known for crossing the Himalayas at remarkable heights, was recently observed in the Sunehi beat of the Pawai Range under the Panna South Forest Division in Madhya Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region.
Rare migratory bird recorded in Bundelkhand
Forest officials confirmed that the pale-grey bird was photographed during routine fieldwork by Range Officer Nitesh Patel. The sighting marks the first recorded presence of the species in the jungles of the Panna South Forest Division, making it a significant development for local biodiversity records.
The bar-headed goose typically breeds in Central Asia and migrates southward during winter. What sets the species apart is its extraordinary ability to fly at very high altitudes, even in thin oxygen conditions over the Himalayas. Wildlife experts note that such adaptability has made it one of the world’s most remarkable migratory birds.
Senior officials from the forest division said the arrival of this species reflects positively on the ecological health of the region. Clean wetlands, minimal disturbance, and adequate food sources are essential for migratory birds to pause during their journeys. The presence of the bar-headed goose is being viewed as a sign that the water bodies and surrounding habitats in the area remain largely undisturbed.
Congress restructures district committees in Madhya Pradesh
In a separate political development, the Madhya Pradesh Congress has dissolved its executive committees in four districts following directions from the All India Congress Committee. The move affects the districts of Chhindwara, Mauganj, Sagar and Jhabua.
The decision came just two days after the committees were formed. Party sources indicated that the restructuring was prompted by concerns over the size of the newly constituted panels. The national leadership had advised that smaller districts should limit their executive committees to 31 members, while larger districts could have up to 51 members.
However, reports suggest that the committees in the four districts significantly exceeded the recommended numbers. In Chhindwara, which has long been considered a stronghold of senior Congress leader Kamal Nath, the executive body reportedly included around 250 members. The swift action signals the party’s attempt to enforce organizational discipline and align with central guidelines ahead of future political engagements.
BJP considers chief whip appointment in Assembly
Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to appoint a chief whip in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The move comes nearly two years after the formation of the state government under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
The 230-member Assembly is scheduled to convene for its budget session starting February 16, and discussions within the party suggest that a decision on the chief whip could be announced soon.
Three senior legislators are understood to be under consideration for the role. These include former Assembly Speaker Sitasaran Sharma, veteran MLA and former minister Gopal Bhargava, and former minister Ajay Vishnoi. All three leaders have previously held key responsibilities in the House during earlier BJP governments but are currently not assigned any major posts.
The chief whip plays an important role in maintaining party discipline within the Assembly, ensuring that legislators attend sessions and vote in line with party decisions. With the budget session approaching, the appointment is seen as part of broader preparations to manage legislative proceedings effectively.