Around 5,000 migratory birds have arrived at Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserve along the International border in the outskirts of Jammu.

Located about 30 km from Jammu, Gharana is surrounded by wetlands of Makwal, Kukdian, Abdullian and Pargwal where more than 170 resident and migratory bird species flock during the winter, making it a treat for bird watchers.

These bird species are bar-headed geese, gadwalls, common teals, purple swamp hens, Indian moorhens, black-winged stilts, cormorants, egrets and greenshanks.

Wildlife warden, Jammu, Shahzad Chowdary said, their number is expected to increase manifold in the coming weeks. He said, all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the safety of the winged guests.

He was speaking at a meeting convened by Commissioner Secretary, state Forest Department, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi in Jammu to review the status of Gharana wetland conservation reserve.