The article discusses the migration and behaviour of the Bar headed Goose, Anser indicus, a winter visitor to the Indian sub-continent. It arrives from its breeding grounds in Central Asia to the Irrigation Tanks of Dharwad District in Southern India. The goose's population peaks in January, and it leaves its feeding grounds in March or April. A ring recovery study revealed the goose's homing ability and site loyalty to specific Irrigation Tanks.

The author surveyed 54 Irrigation Tanks in Dharwad District as stopover sites for migratory waterfowl, with results from this survey and Asian mid-winter counts from 1987-1996 examined. The study observed the distribution, abundance, site loyalty, disturbances, and threats to habitats of the Bar headed Goose. The bird's adaptation to feeding situations, feeding ecology, social behaviour, and more detailed aspects require further study.

The District of Dharwad, with its unique geography, serves as a crucial wintering habitat for the goose due to the availability of suitable water bodies for roosting and agricultural fields for feeding. The article highlights the importance of these man-made Irrigation Tanks as natural wetlands decline. The Bar headed Goose relies on roosting sites to conduct flights for foraging, making water bodies crucial for its feeding and breeding success.

The study identified disturbances and threats to the Bar headed Goose, including human activities, fisheries, encroachment, and habitat degradation. The conservation measures proposed include separating washing and bathing areas for villagers and cattle, allocating protected feeding areas, stopping fisheries activities at roosting sites, implementing wildlife protection measures, preventing encroachment, using colour banding for identification, and ensuring collaborative conservation efforts.

In summary, the article provides insights into the migration, behaviour, and conservation needs of the Bar headed Goose in Dharwad District. It emphasizes the importance of Irrigation Tanks as vital habitats for this species and proposes various measures to ensure its conservation.