The many facets of Chukar partridge, a Himalayan gem
Summers in Ladakh can be deceptively sultry, as I discovered one afternoon going back and forth along the Markha river looking for birds. There weren’t many rewards for my toils, except dehydration from the thin air and lack of shade. A pall of dejection hung over the evening, till the time a slow, delicate movement around the bend caught a corner of the eye. It was a Chukar partridge, a plump, medium-sized bird that is much venerated in popular culture and lore.
The Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) is native to the arid mountainous regions of West and Central Asia, and the western and trans-Himalayan regions. In India, it can be found in high-altitude regions of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The striking plumage makes it easy to spot in the field — black and white stripes run across a brownish upper body and creamy belly, the bright red beak and legs adding to the contrast.
Ground-dwelling birds that are adept at navigating the rocky and rugged landscapes of their habitat, Chukars have short, rounded wings which make them strong flyers. They typically prefer to run swiftly to escape predators. Their diet primarily consists of seeds, grains and small insects.
Chukars play a vital role in the ecosystem by contributing to seed dispersal, promoting plant growth in otherwise barren areas. Their feeding habits also help control insect populations, indirectly benefiting agricultural activities. Additionally, as prey for larger predators such as eagles, hawks, and foxes, Chukars are an important part of the food chain in their mountainous habitats where resources for survival are scarce.
Their most discerning characteristic is their cultural symbolism, particularly in India. A representation of the bird gazing longingly towards the moon, yearning for it, is used to symbolise unattainable love, a metaphor for desiring something one can never possess. This imagery is found in poems, songs and paintings in many cultures across North India, from popular tales of unrequited love to the relentless pursuit of the unattainable divine in Sufism.
The mythical bird Chakora in Hindu mythology is believed to be based on the Chukar, and also considered the etymological origin of the name. This fact is often debated though, with some theories positing the name’s origin to Persian or Urdu, as the partridge holds symbolic meanings across several West and Central Asian cultures, where it is idolised as a symbol of beauty and resilience.
Since ancient times, the Chukar partridge has been prized as game, hunted for both meat and sport. Archaeological findings from the Byzantine era have revealed ornaments made from its bones, and visual depictions are also seen in church mosaics. It was widely introduced in parts of Europe, America and Australasia for this purpose in the late 19th and early 20th century.
While the Chukar partridge is currently listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, its population is declining in several regions. Despite its adaptability, the bird faces several threats in the wild.
Habitat loss is one of the most pressing challenges, as human population expands, and infrastructure projects encroach into previously undisturbed areas. Road construction, agricultural expansion, and tourism development in high-altitude areas lead to habitat degradation and fragmentation, limiting the availability of foraging grounds and nesting sites.
Hunting is another significant threat. While it has been a traditional practice in many regions, over-hunting and the illegal capture of wild populations for commercial breeding are serious concerns. In some areas, hunting has reduced local populations to dangerously low levels. Although laws exist to regulate hunting, enforcement is often weak, owing to the remoteness of the regions the birds inhabit.
Climate change poses a more long-term threat, as the Chukar’s high-altitude barren habitat is especially vulnerable to changing weather patterns. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation and changing vegetation can all impact the bird’s ability to find food and nesting sites. As glaciers melt and water sources become scarcer, both wildlife and human populations face increased competition for dwindling resources, placing indirect pressure on the species.
Efforts to conserve the Chukar must focus on protecting and restoring natural habitats. This includes regulating grazing, preventing habitat fragmentation and ensuring that infrastructure development projects consider their impact on local wildlife. Involving youth and local communities in birdwatching and eco-tourism initiatives could provide alternative sources of income and create incentives to protect wildlife.
The next morning, as we hiked out of the village, I finally the saw the bird strike its quintessential pose, standing on a hillock and calling out into the sky, perhaps not a believer in the lunar lore as it was the middle of the afternoon with no moon in sight. A testament to nature’s resilience, the Chukar reminds us that even in the harshest of environments, hope and beauty can endure.
— The writer is a climate expert and outdoor enthusiast
