Gandhinagar, Feb. 10 -- The presence of the rare Grey Hypocolius has turned the Chhari-Dhandh Conservation Reserve in Gujarat's Kachchh district into a major global destination for birdwatchers and ornithologists.

Recently designated a Ramsar site, the wetland is experiencing a steady influx of international tourists keen to observe its rich avian diversity.

More than 283 bird species have been documented in and around Chhari-Dhandh, but a handful of rare migratory birds draw special international attention--most notably the Grey Hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus), locally known as Maskati Latoro.

The slender, pale-grey passerine breeds in the arid regions of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan and has been a regular winter visitor to ...