Poaching threat looms over migratory birds

India:  Though water bodies of the region are serving as nesting and breeding centres for rare migratory birds during winters, the arrival of winged guests has turned the poachers active. In the last few days, poachers have been caught hunting migratory birds at prominent bird habitats, raising serious concerns among bird lovers.

Students of a Chandrapur-based school, who went for a forest safari at Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) three days back, found snares made of nylon wire spread over the backwaters of Moharli lake. "During the evening round, we took a break near MTDC's resort and took the students for birdwatching at the backwaters of the lake. After some time, a student spotted an Indian Cormorant trapped in a snare. We immediately rushed to rescue the bird. After getting closer, we were shocked to find many such snares spread over an area of over 50 metres," said schoolteacher Pravin Nikhare, who is also a member of Chandrapur-based Wild Capture.

The school authorities reported the incident to Tadoba field director GP Garad. "Laying such traps in the buffer area of a tiger reserve is a serious issue and should be given immediate attention. The lake is host to many migratory birds like Lesser Whistling Ducks, Red-Crested Pochards, Common Shelduck and more. It is shocking that poachers are hunting openly in protected area," said Nikahre. TOI could not contact Garad.

Last week, some Gondia-based NGOs and forest department officials while monitoring the wetlands caught tribal women with birds at the backwaters of Paratwada lake. "After getting a tip-off about bird poaching, we started monitoring the lake. After two days of monitoring, we saw some women near the lake and got suspicious. On checking, we found that they were carrying two Kingfishers, two Cattle Egrets and an Indian Roller," said Gondia honorary wildlife warden Sawan Bahekar.

Bahekar further informed that many poachers are also poisoning grains to catch birds. "The birds don't die immediately after eating the grains and remain unconscious for a while. By this time, the poachers take out the birds' intestine to get rid of poison so that the bird can be consumed," he added.

TOI had earlier too reported about rampant poaching of birds in the region. During the common bird monitoring programme held in September last year, it came to the fore that common bird species like Peacocks and Green Pigeons were being hunted. Last month, large-scale poaching of local and migratory birds was reported from Aher-Navargaon on the banks of Wainganga in Brahmapuri division.

(Source: The Times of India)