Need for constant vigil Call for joint efforts to save birds Siliguri, 17 October: Wildlife organisations have said a more coordinated effort should be made by the administration, foresters, common people and NGOs to stop the killing of birds along the Fulbari barrage and its adjacent areas, especially at a time when migratory birds are set to arrive there for the winter season. The Sukna Wildlife Squad yesterday arrested four persons for allegedly killing at least 15 birds, some of them migratory, at the barrage. The forest department, meanwhile, said awareness programmes must be stronger. “It is a matter of concern. We feel there should be constant vigil in the area to save the birds. “The administration has taken up some positive measures, including banning picnics at the barrage areas, so that the migratory birds are not disturbed. However, the effort should be joint a joint one,” said Mr Animesh Bose, the state wildlife board member and coordinator of the Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation (HNAF) that works for the conservation of ecology. “Efforts should be made immediately so that we can save the birds from getting killed and there should be no threat to migratory birds,” he added. The chief conservator of forests, northern circle, Mr PT Bhutia, said awareness level should be increased. “The forest department and the local administration have taken up steps on awareness, but there should be involvement of the common people in more numbers,” he said. With an aim to see that the migratory birds are not disturbed or harmed, the Phansidewa block has banned picnics in and around the Fulbari barrage area. Block officials have also set up notice boards, asking people not to organise the picnics. Around 4,000-4,500 migratory birds of different species normally start arriving in the first or second week of December every year. “While birds like the common shelduck, red-crested pochard and bar-headed goose fly in from East Europe, the cormorants come from China. Most of the other species come from Mongolia, Tibet and China. Few birds also fly in from Siberia,” Mr Bose said. “Some areas near the barrage have been encroached upon. “The increase in disturbances caused by humans and destruction of habitats for birds have triggered the decline in the number of migratory birds in the past few years. Certain practices like encroachment on water bodies, unorganised fishing, and illegal cultivation on riverbeds have also aggravated the situation,” he said. According to sources, the state forest department is considering proposals to recognise Gajaldoba, near Baikunthapur forest division (BFD) , as a bird sanctuary. sns
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 06:41:17 +0000
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